Department of Public Health releases water treatment guidelines during water boil order

Food establishment water use

[March 22, 2010]  In order to continue operating under "boil water" orders from municipal water supplies, all food establishments must secure and use potable water. Most boil orders are 36 hours in duration. Think ahead as to what your facility's water needs and water quality requirements will be.

The following equipment should not be used until the boil order is lifted and the water lines are flushed of any standing water:

• Direct plumbed coffee/tea machines/urns

• Direct plumbed soda/beverage machines/guns

• Direct plumbed on-site ice machines

• Direct plumbed dipper wells/water baths

• Direct plumbed misters in produce areas (unless they're on a reverse osmosis system)

• Mechanical dish machines

Commercially bottled water from an approved source should be used for the following:

• Making coffee, tea or other beverages

• Washing produce

• Use on the cook line (steam tables, water baths)

• Public and employee hand washing (use free-flowing spigotted containers)

• Washing, rinsing and sanitizing in three-compartment sinks

• Sanitizing buckets and spray bottles

You may wish to consider the following alternative procedures to minimize water usage:

• Use bottled soda.

• Use single-service items.

• Use prepackaged food where applicable.

• Restrict menus and/or hours of operation.

• Share washing equipment, dishes, etc. with other franchised/owned facilities in the area.

• Use bagged ice (purchased).

After the boil order is lifted, these precautionary measures must be followed:

1. Flush the building water lines, and clean faucet screens, water line strainers on mechanical dishwashing machines and similar equipment.

2. Purge all water-using fixtures and appliances of standing water, such as ice machines, beverage makers, hot water heaters, etc.

3. Clean and sanitize all fixtures, sinks and equipment connected to water lines.

If you have any questions, please contact the health department at 217-735-2317.

[Text from file received from the Logan County Department of Public Health]