Using appropriate storage containers is essential to ensure the safety, quality, and accessibility of your emergency water supply

Storage Tips:

• Use clean, food-grade containers to store water.
•  Keep your water supply in a cool, dark place to prevent contamination and degradation.
•  Regularly check and rotate your water supply every six months to ensure freshness.

The storage container for water is crucial for several reasons:

• Safety and Hygiene: Using clean, food-grade containers ensures that the water remains safe for consumption. Non-food-grade containers can leach harmful chemicals into the water, making it unsafe to drink.
• Contamination Prevention: Proper containers help prevent contamination from external sources, such as dirt, bacteria, or chemicals. Containers should be sealed tightly to keep out contaminants.
•  Durability: Food-grade containers are designed to withstand the conditions of storage, such as temperature fluctuations and exposure to light, which can degrade the quality of the water over time.
•  Ease of Use: Containers that are easy to handle and pour from make it more convenient to access water during an emergency. This can be especially important when quick access is needed.
•  Capacity and Portability: Choosing the right size of containers allows for efficient storage and transport. Larger containers can hold more water, but smaller containers may be easier to move if necessary. 

How to Store Water

• Store the bottled water in a cool, dark area away from direct sunlight, heat sources, and chemicals, such as cleaning supplies or gasoline, which could contaminate the water. 
• Avoid areas that experience extreme temperature fluctuations, like garages or attics, as high temperatures can cause the plastic to break down and potentially leach chemicals into the water.
• Regularly monitor the containers for any signs of damage, such as cracks or leaks, and discard any damaged bottles to prevent contamination. 
• Rotate your supply every six months to ensure freshness, using the oldest bottles first and replacing them with new ones as needed.

In the event of a small scale or limited area boil water notice those in the affected area will receive notification via an orange door hanger and letter delivered by Water Distribution Staff.  The letter typically contains a short description of the event and a map highlighting the affected area. For large scale events covering multiple neighborhoods the City will utilize media outlets to disseminate information. 

I received a Boil Water Advisory notice, what should I do?

1. Bring all water to a rolling boil for at least one minute before letting it cool. This includes water for drinking, cooking, brushing teeth, and washing dishes. Boiling kills harmful bacteria, viruses, and parasites.
2.  If boiling water is not feasible, use bottled water for drinking and food preparation. Ensure that the bottled water is from a safe source.
3.  Do not use ice made from tap water during the advisory. If you need ice, use ice made from boiled or bottled water.
4.  When washing hands, use boiled or bottled water. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
5.  Avoid washing fruits and vegetables with tap water; instead, use boiled or bottled water.

How will I know when the advisory is lifted?

If you received a door hanger, another will be delivered upon confirmation of water sample results being clear of any harmful bacteria.   For Larger scale events keep an eye on media outlets and the City website for updates and any further instructions. 

Now that the advisory is lifted, is there anything I should do?

1. Run cold water through all taps at least 5 minutes to flush out any contaminants that may have entered your plumbing system during the advisory. This includes sinks, bathtubs, and showers.
2.  If you have appliances that use water, such as dishwashers, washing machines, and refrigerators with water dispensers, run them through a cycle with clean water to ensure they are clear of any contaminants. For refrigerators, you may need to discard any ice made during the advisory and replace it with ice made from boiled or bottled water.
3.  If you use water filters (e.g., pitcher filters, faucet-mounted filters), replace the filters according to the manufacturer’s instructions, as they may have been compromised during the advisory.
4.  Run water softeners through a regeneration cycle (follow instructions from the manufacturer).
5.  Reverse Osmosis (RO) units: Replace pre-filters, check owner's manual.

 If you notice any unusual taste, odor, or color in your water after the advisory is lifted, contact Public Works Dispatch at 503-588-6311.  

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I drink bottled water during an advisory?

Yes. If bottled water is available, that is the best option until officials say otherwise. If you do not have bottled water available, the next best option is to boil your tap water to make it safe to drink.
I do not have bottled water available for drinking. How do I boil my water to make it safe to drink?
(Caution: Water contaminated with fuel or a toxic chemical will not be made safe by boiling or disinfection. Use another source of water if you know or suspect that your water might be contaminated with fuel or a toxic chemical.)

• Fill a pot with water.
• Heat the water until bubbles come quickly from the bottom of the pot to the top.
• Keep heating the water for one more minute.
• Turn off the heat source and let the water cool.
• Pour water into a clean, sanitized container with a cover for storage.

I don't like the taste of boiled water. What can I do?

To improve the taste of boiled water you can:

• Pour cooled, boiled water back and forth from one clean glass or container into another to add air to the water, or
• Let the water stand for a few hours, or
• Add a pinch of salt to each quart of boiled water

Why do I have to boil my water?

Your water may be contaminated by bacteria, virus, protozoa, or a parasite. Contamination may be due to equipment failure, leaking/broken pipes in the system, or insufficient disinfectant in the water supply. The boil water advisory gives you information so you can take action to protect your health.

Can I use tap water to wash my hands?

In many situations, you can use tap water and soap to wash your hands. Follow the guidance of your local public health officials or emergency managers. Be sure to scrub your hands with soap and water (warm or cold) for 20 seconds and rinse them well under running water. It is important to dry hands completely with a towel or by letting them air dry.

Can I use tap water to brush my teeth?

No. Use bottled water or boiled water that has cooled to brush your teeth

Is it safe to take a shower or bath?

Yes, it is safe to take a bath or shower, but be careful not to swallow any water. Use caution when bathing babies and young children. Consider giving them a sponge bath to reduce the chance of them swallowing water.

What about shaving?

Yes. You can shave as usual.

What about doing laundry?

Yes, it is safe to do laundry as usual.

Can I use my coffee maker, ice machine, or water or soda dispenser?

Do not use water from any appliance connected to your water lines. This includes the water and ice dispensers in your refrigerator/freezer. Most kitchen and other household water filters typically do not remove or kill all bacteria or viruses.

• Use bottled, boiled, or disinfected water to make coffee and ice.
• When the boil water advisory is lifted, consult the owner’s manual to find out how to sanitize appliances

Can I use ice from my refrigerator/freezer?

• Do not use ice from ice trays, ice dispensers, or ice makers.
• Throw out all ice made with tap water.
• Make new ice with bottled, boiled, or disinfected water.

What should I do about preparing food and beverages? How should I wash fruit, vegetables, and food preparation surfaces?

• Wash fruits and vegetables with bottled, boiled, or disinfected water.
• Use bottled or boiled water that has cooled to cook food.
• Use bottled, boiled, or disinfected water when preparing drinks, such as coffee, tea, and lemonade.
• Wash food preparation surfaces with bottled, boiled, or disinfected water.

What should I do about feeding my baby?

Breastfeeding is best. Continue to breastfeed. If breastfeeding is not an option:

• Use ready-to-use baby formula, if possible.
• Prepare powdered or concentrated baby formula with bottled water. Use boiled water if you do not have bottled water.
• Wash and sterilize bottles and nipples before use with bottled or boiled water.
• If you cannot sterilize bottles, try to use single-serve, ready-to-feed bottles.

How do I wash dishes during a boil water advisory?

Use disposable plates, cups, and utensils, if possible. If you do not have disposable dishes, follow the instructions below. Household dishwashers generally are safe to use. If possible, set your dishwasher so it is using a hot water rinse or sanitizing cycle.

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 1 minute.
• Let the dishes air dry completely before using them again.

I already drank the water. Will I get sick?

Most people who happen to drink this water will not get sick. If you do get sick, the symptoms are similar to food poisoning: nausea, diarrhea, cramps, and possibly a mild fever.

What should I do if I have symptoms?

The most important thing to do is avoid dehydration. Drink plenty of fluids and avoid drinks with caffeine, such as soda, coffee, and tea. If you are concerned about your health or the health of a family member, contact your healthcare provider or local health department.

Should I give my pets boiled water?

Yes. Pets can get sick from the same contaminants as people. It is a good idea to give them bottled, boiled, or disinfected water. Boiled water should always be cooled before using. Contact your local veterinarian for more information.

Do I need to worry about my fish or aquatic pets (e.g. reptiles, frogs)?

Most germs that infect people do not infect reptiles or fish. If your water system is using more chlorine or changing disinfection, be cautious about changing the water in your fish tank or aquarium. Standard aquarium operations require removal of chlorine and chloramines, which can be toxic to fish and reptiles.
Contact your local pet store or veterinarian for more information.

Is it safe to water my garden and house plants?

Yes, you can use the tap water for household plants and gardens.

Is it safe to let my children play in a kiddie pool filled with tap water?

No. Due to the high chance that children will get water in their mouth while playing in a kiddie pool, we recommend that you avoid using your kiddie pool during the boil water advisory.

What microbe, organisms, germs, bacteria might be in the water?

Many types of microbes could be in the water. Water systems are concerned about bacteria such as shigella, viruses such as norovirus, and parasites such as Cryptosporidium. Human illness from these microbes is usually caused by eating raw or undercooked food, ingesting contaminated recreational or other untreated water, or poor hand-washing. Diarrheal illness from these microbes is not usually life threatening, except in the elderly, the very young, or those with weak immune systems. If you are concerned, consult your healthcare provider or contact local health department.

Salem’s Emergency Community Notification System has combined their resources with Marion and Polk counties, the National Weather Service, and the State of Oregon to create an alert system that will serve Salem and the Mid-Willamette Valley.

 Head to our Community Alerts page for more information and how to sign up for alerts.