October 7, 2024
Media Contact: Linda Scarborough, linda.scarborough@vdh.virginia.gov
Virginia Department of Health’s Southwest Health Districts Offer Guidance During Boil Water Notices
WISE, Va. – The Virginia Department of Health’s LENOWISCO, Cumberland Plateau, Mount Rogers, and New River health districts offer guidance for those under boil water advisory of the necessary steps to avoid illness.
Do not use tap water for food preparation, ice, coffee machines, or handwashing. Please ensure everyone in the household, including pets, is safe by boiling any water used for consumption. All tap water must be boiled. Bottled water may also be used as an alternative. Do not rely on household filters that are purchased over the counter as they will not remove bacteria from the water. Most filters use carbon, and those filters do a good job of taking out taste and odors but do not take out other contaminants.
Residents should follow the guidance of boiling all water until the boil water notice is lifted. Bring water to a rolling boil for at least one minute and then let it cool before using.
The Virginia Department of Health strongly advises that people take the following steps to prevent illness from contaminated water. Bottled or boiled water should be used for the following:
- Drinking
- Brushing teeth
- Washing fruits and vegetables
- Preparing food
- Mixing baby formula
- Making ice
- Filling coffee makers
- Giving water to pets
To wash dishes by hand:
- Wash and rinse the dishes as you normally would using hot water.
- In a separate basin, add 1 teaspoon of unscented household liquid bleach for each gallon of warm water.
- Soak the rinsed dishes in the water for at least one minute.
- Let the dishes air dry completely before using them again.
Tap water may be used for the following activities:
- Taking showers (adults & older children; Do NOT drink)
- Washing clothes in a washing machine
- Flushing toilets
- Car washing
- Household cleaning
- Watering plants
- Dishwasher with sanitizing cycle
Adults and older children can take showers using tap water, but take precautions by covering any scratches, cuts or open wounds prior to bathing. Use caution when bathing infants and young children. Consider giving them a sponge bath to reduce the chance of them swallowing water.
Dishwashers are generally safe to use if they have a sanitizing cycle or reach a final rinse temperature of at least 150°F (66°C). Check the manual or contact the manufacturer to find out what temperature your dishwater reaches.
For more information, contact your local health department or you may contact the Cumberland Plateau Health District (serving Buchanan, Dickenson, Russell and Tazewell counties) at 276-889-7621; the LENOWISCO health district (serving the counties of Lee, Wise, and Scott and the City of Norton) at 276-328-8000; the Mount Rogers Health District (serving Bland, Carroll, Grayson, Smyth, Washington, and Wythe counties, and the cities of Bristol and Galax) at 276-236-6127; or New River Health District (serving the counties of Floyd, Giles, Montgomery, Pulaski and the City of Radford) at 540-585-3300 or visit www.vdh.virginia.gov.