Boil Water Notice

If you get diarrhoea, vomiting and/or a fever, contact Healthline (0800 611 116) or your doctor. Babies, young children, the elderly and people who have compromised immune systems are more at risk of illness.

The water (hot and cold) must NOT be used for drinking, making up baby formula and juices, cooking, making ice, washing fruits and vegetables, or brushing teeth. For these purposes use either boiled water or bottled water. Hot water from your tap is not safe to use during a boil water advisory as the temperature of your hot water cylinder is not high enough to kill germs.

Boiling will kill all disease-causing organisms. Place the water in a clean metal pan and bring to a rolling boil for one minute. Electric jugs with a cut-off switch can be used as long as they are full – allow the water to come to the boil and switch off. Do not hold the switch down to increase the boiling time. Boiled water should be covered and allowed to cool in the same container. The taste will improve if allowed to stand for a few hours before use.

Adults, teens and older children may shower or bathe with untreated water as long as no water is swallowed (avoid the face). Young children should be sponge-bathed instead of bathing in a tub because they are likely to swallow the bath water. If you have recent surgical wounds or a chronic illness, you may want to use bottled or boiled water for bathing until the advisory is lifted.

Only use boiled or bottled water for brushing your teeth. You can shave as usual using tap water.

You should either:

Use bottled or boiled water for handwashing Use soap and tap water followed by an additional hand disinfection, by either:
- Rinsing hands in disinfectant solution (add 1 teaspoon plain household bleach to 10 litres of water and allow to stand for 30 minutes before use. Change solution frequently)
- Using an alcohol-based hand sanitiser containing at least 60% alcohol

Wet wipes used for cleaning babies are not effective for disinfecting hands.

Fruits and vegetables should be washed using cooled, boiled water. Use boiled water if adding to foods that will not be cooked. Tap water can only be used in foods that will be thoroughly cooked. Do not use ice, food or drinks that may have been made from contaminated tap water.

If breastfeeding, continue as usual. If you are using baby formula, prepare using bottled or cooled, boiled water. Wash and sterilise bottles and teats by boiling or microwaving.

Filtered water should also be boiled for one minute before using it for drinking, food preparation or teeth brushing.

Coffee machines, ice makers and soda dispensers that are connected to the water supply should not be used. Use bottled water or water that has been boiled or disinfected for making coffee, ice or soda drinks.

Dishes can be washed using boiled water. If you use tap water, dishes washed with water and detergent should be rinsed in a bleach solution. (1 tablespoon unscented household bleach per 5 litres of water). Allow dishes to completely air dry.

If your dishwasher has a hot setting, it can be used to wash dishes. If your dishwasher does not have a hot setting, after the finishing cycle, rinse the dishes in a bleach solution afterwards (1 tablespoon unscented household bleach per 5 litres of water). Allow dishes to completely air dry.

No, continue doing your laundry the way you usually do.

Pets and livestock can usually drink untreated water. If your pet is unwell, has vomiting and diarrhoea, contact your veterinarian. Make sure you wash your hands well after handling your pet and use rubber or disposable gloves if you are cleaning up after it.