Boil Water Notice: What It Means and What You Need to Do

Boil water notices are among the most alarming alerts you can get from your local government, and it’s important for your own health and the health of your loved ones to pay attention to them.

These advisories have surged into the national spotlight amid the ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles, which, among other measures, prompted the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power to issue a boil water notice for customers in the Pacific Palisades area. Elsewhere, a boil water notice has been ongoing in the Richmond, Virginia, area for several days with no end in sight, the result of a winter storm that knocked out power at water treatment facilities. 

Being informed about these advisories is especially important, as they can vary considerably in length depending on what caused them. While the New York State Department of Health estimates that they typically last between 24 and 48 hours, some can stretch on for days or even weeks.

Read on for all the things you need to know about staying safe during a boil water notice. For more, see what the Los Angeles wildfires look like from space and find out how you can help the victims.

What is a boil water notice?

A boil water notice is an advisory usually issued by a local government to residents of specific areas where the water supply has potentially or definitively become contaminated. While the advisory is in effect, people are strongly urged to boil any tap water before using it for certain things: drinking, preparing food, washing dishes, brushing their teeth and generally anything that can lead to them or their pets consuming the water.

Boiling the water and allowing it to cool before using it kills any harmful contaminants that have entered the water supply, including bacteria, parasites and viruses. While no one can be forced to take these safety measures, not doing so exposes you to a variety of illnesses or health problems, including but not limited to nausea, cramps, diarrhea and headaches, according to American Water, a utility company with operations in 14 states.

How long should I boil the water?

You should bring the water to a full rolling boil for at least a minute before letting it cool off.

Read more: Best Electric Kettles for 2025

Is a water filter safe during a boil water notice?

Most water filter systems — including standalone ones and those attached to refrigerators or faucets — are not capable of removing harmful contaminants that might be in your water during a boil advisory. So do not use them as a reason to not boil the water you need to use.

Are there any uses for unboiled water that are safe during a boil water notice?

It should be safe for you to take showers or baths during a boil water notice. However, you need to make sure that you do not swallow any of the water while doing so.

Doing laundry is also considered safe during a boil water notice.

What should I do once the boil water notice lifts?

Once the boil water notice is lifted in your area, you should be good to immediately resume the use of tap water. You could, however, run each faucet in your residence on cold for five minutes, just to be safe. You might also be specifically advised to do this by your local government, which is why it is key to wait for its official notice.

How long will the current boil water advisories last?

The boil water notice in the Pacific Palisades area was given an estimated length of 48 hours when it was announced on Wednesday. While the notice could be up by Friday, you should never return to normal activity until you have seen confirmation from your local government. 

“Because we are pushing the water system so hard, our water quality is decreasing so we are going to be issuing a boil water notice this morning and that will extend for about 48 hours,” Los Angeles Department of Water and Power CEO and Chief Engineer Janisse Quiñones said about the notice.

In Richmond, estimates are much more uncertain, with Hanover County officials warning that the advisory could last into this coming weekend.

For more, find out if you need more home insurance for natural disasters.