If you’re under a boil water notice or advisory, it is important you know the do’s and don’ts of untreated tap water.
It is important to let boiled water cool before using it.
Use only bottled or boiled water to wash your hands.
It is safe to shower or bathe in untreated water.
Use only bottled or boiled water to bathe an infant.
Use only boiled or bottled water to wash dishes.
Pets are not generally affected by drinking untreated water.
Drinking or exposure to untreated water can lead to diarrhea, cramps, nausea, possible jaundice, headaches or fatigue.
Symptoms may appear as early as a few hours to several days after infection.
If you are ill with these symptoms, contact your healthcare provider.

KALAMAZOO, Mich. (WOOD) — Kalamazoo issued a boil water advisory Sunday for a neighborhood following a water main break.
The affected area includes both sides of Portage Street from Homecrest to Cambridge avenue.
Additionally, the northeast corner of Homecrest and Portage and the area of Homecrest and Norton Drive is affected.
Everyone in the affected area should boil their water for two minutes before consuming it.
The water main break caused a drop in pressure, which can allow bacteria to enter the system.
In this case, the boil water advisory is precautionary — no bacteria has actually been found in the system at this point.
The results of testing should be back within 72 hours.

A water leak has led to a dozen residences in Red Deer’s West Park neighbourhood being under a Boil Water Advisory, According to the city’s website, the advisory was issued on January 15 and it will remain in place until water tests confirm no contamination to the water supply.
City officials say the affected properties on 59 Avenue Crescent have all been notified of the Boil Water Advisory through hand-delivered notices and the same will be done for them once the advisory is lifted.
For more information on Boil Water Advisories and what they mean, click here.

NEW ORLEANS – Filling up another bucket and using the only working faucet is becoming a tiresome routine this week at Belle Reve New Orleans, a community home for people with disabilities and those with HIV.
Throughout the day, those living and working have been going back and forth, filling up the toilets with water.
Thomas says it’s not just keeping water in the bathroom.
The low water pressure is making it a long and taxing job to cook a good meal for the 15 people that call Belle Reve home.
Residents on the Eastbank of Orleans tonight remain under a boil water advisory.
Mayor Landrieu says the advisory could stretch into the next few days.
"As the sun comes out and it starts to thaw, we’re going to start to see more problems, and that problem is going to bring the pressure down.
"We have 219 units in this building, and it’s an inconvenience.
Like Belle Reve, they’re also getting trickles of water out of their tap.
And cook and things like that," Bellau said.

NEW ORLEANS – Mayor Mitch Landrieu and Jefferson Parish President Mike Yenni both urged residents of their respective parishes to conserve water amid widespread boil water advisories.
Advisories were issued for the east bank of Orleans Parish and the east bank of Jefferson Parish this morning after prolonged cold weather caused drops in water pressure in both parishes.
Landrieu urged Orleans Parish residents in the affected area to limit water usage across the board while the advisories continue.
“We are strongly urging residents to help relieve pressure on the system by only using water in situations where it’s absolutely necessary,” Landrieu said.
Running dishwashers and washing clothes right now will put an extra strain on the system, Landrieu said.
“For the peak of this event, we have produced 72 million.” The water pressure had to be lowered to about 45 psi last night “due to extensive breaks throughout the system,” Yenni said.
Repairs are expected to take two to three days, with the boil water advisory expected to last just as long.
East Jefferson General Hospital tapped into their well system last night once it was determined that water could not get above the fifth floor, Yenni said.
Ochsner Medical Center on Jefferson Highway has been handing out bottled water to patients today, and they will be turning to their own well system soon.
Emergency services, including dialysis centers are fully functioning as of this morning in Orleans Parish, but anyone needing dialysis this afternoon should call the center first to make sure they are open.

ANAHUAC, Texas (KTRK) — More than 5,000 residents in Chambers County have been ordered to boil their water, according to officials.
A boil-water notice was sent out Thursday, affecting customers of the Trinity Bay Conservation District.
According to TBCD, low pressure from busted pipes thawing prompted the weather-related order.
The low pressure enables bacteria to form.
The general manager for Trinity Bay Conservation District said the order applies to "pretty much everything from the Trinity River to the Jefferson County line" in Chambers County.
The notice follows a separate advisory in Pearland.
The city said a major equipment failure at a water production plant prompted its order.
Similar to the Chambers County order, residents were urged to boil water before washing hands, brushing teeth, or drinking it.
READ MORE: Boil water advisory impacts portion of Pearland Report a typo to the ABC13 staff

Michelle Southern reporting.
Water pressure has become a concern across Louisiana in the wake of the recent arctic blast, which has prompted some parishes to issue boil water advisories.
So why does this happen?
Louisiana Department of Health Chief Engineer Amanda Laughlin says when a hard freeze event takes place, pipes burst and there are an extremely high number of line breaks.
"So they issue a boil advisory as a precaution in case there is a contamination event."
Laughlin says there are nearly 50 boil advisories posted in the state right now, and that number is expected to go up.
"When your system is under the proper amount of pressure it keeps things out," said Laughlin.
"But when you lose pressure it allows things in."
Laughlin says the advisories are only a precaution in case something has entered the system that could potentially make you sick.
"But you can use your dishwasher that reaches high temperatures."

MARIETTA, Ohio (WTAP) – A boil-water advisory is in effect for approximately 60 to 70 Marietta water customers because of emergency repairs to a water line.
The advisory is for customers in the 100 block of East Spring Street, 200 block of West Spring Street and Emerald Street.
Customers in adjacent areas could also be affected, so officials say if you experience a loss of service you are included in the advisory.
Officials say if you experience a loss of service or reduced water pressure, you should “rapid boil” any drinking water for two minutes once service is restored.
Call 740-374-6864 for more information.

METAIRIE, La.
— The boil water advisory and low water pressure also affected businesses in our area.
Places like Lakeside Mall, restaurants, and even our building (WGNO) at the Galleria were closed.
Ochsner’s heating system was down due to the low water pressure.
Some surgeries had to be rescheduled for a later day.
It was a shock to costumers who pulled up to a place of business and found out they were closed.
Folks out at the airport in Kenner had to use porta-potties and were provided hand sanitizer until everything is back up and running again.
Authorities urge residents to conserve water by using hand sanitizer and to boil your water.

"Officials with Ascension Consolidated Utilities District #1 (ACUD #1) have issued a boil water advisory for their customers whose water comes from Assumption Parish (ACUD #1- Assumption (LA 1005045) water customers).
The advisory was issued as a precaution after ACUD #1 was notified by Assumption Parish Water Works of a drop in pressure in their distribution system.
According to the alert from Assumption Parish, there was a temporary drop in water pressure in the distribution system due to the extremely high number of water line breaks caused by the hard freeze.
The notice went on to state that the pressure will be restored as soon as possible.
Affected customers have been notified using the Code Red Emergency Alert System.
Any questions or concerns should be directed to the emergency line at 225-450-1078."