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

Residential water use

[March 22, 2010]  Illinois American Water Company has issued a BOIL ORDER for all of the city of Lincoln, including users outside the municipal boundaries. During a boil water order, residential users of affected public water supplies should take the following measures to protect themselves from consuming potentially contaminated water:

1. Boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking, cooking, washing fresh fruits and vegetables, hand washing, and tooth brushing.

2. The affected tap water should be used for these purposes only after it has been brought to a rolling boil for five minutes. DO NOT BOIL THE WATER FOR A LONGER PERIOD OF TIME. Excessive boiling may concentrate any chemical contaminants, raising their concentrations to harmful levels.

3. The affected water may be used for dish washing if a machine is used. If dishes are hand-washed, boiled or bottled water should be used. The affected tap water may be used if the clean dishes are immersed for at least one minute in a sink of water to which one full tablespoon of regular household bleach has been added.

4. The affected tap water may be used for bathing and showering.

5. The affected water may be used for household cleaning.

NOTE: If the tap water is cloudy or contains particles, bottled water should be used.

After the "boil water" order is lifted, these precautionary measures should be followed:

1. Flush the building water lines and clean faucet screens.

2. Purge the water-using fixtures and appliances of standing water and ice such as refrigerator ice makers or coffee makers.

Follow these guidelines until the boil order is lifted, which often takes as long as 36 hours.

For answers to specific questions about your water service, call Illinois American Water Company, 1-800-422-2782. If you have any other questions, contact the Logan County Department of Public Health at 217-735-2317.

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