Pasadena Boil Water Advisory FAQ

Press release from the City of Pasadena:

February 19, 2021

BOIL WATER ADVISORY FAQ

BOIL WATER ADVISORY

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Due to water pressure issues across our region, the City of Pasadena is still under a Boil Water Advisory. This advisory may be lifted by Texas Environmental Commission on Quality (TCEQ) sometime next week. Because of this, the TCEQ is advising the use of bottled water or boiling procedures because the water supply in our area is, or could be, contaminated with bacteria and other harmful organisms that can make you sick.

Below are some FAQs regarding a Boil Water Advisory. Information is based on guidelines from the CDC and the City of Pasadena Health Department:

• Use bottled or boiled water that has been cooled for drinking, and to prepare and cook food.
• If bottled water is not available, bring water to a full rolling boil for 2 minutes, then allow it to cool before use.
• Boil tap water even if it is filtered.
• Do not use water from any appliance connected to your water line, such as ice and water from a refrigerator.
• If you feed your baby with formula, provide ready-to-use formula, if available.

Handwashing

• In many situations, you can use tap water and soap to wash hands.
• Be sure to scrub your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, and rinse them well under running water.
• If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

Bathing and showering

• Be careful not to swallow any water when bathing or showering.
• Use caution when bathing babies and young children. Consider giving them a sponge bath to reduce the chance of them swallowing water.

Brushing teeth

• Brush teeth with boiled or bottled water. Do not use untreated tap water.

Washing dishes

• If possible, use disposable plates, cups, and utensils during a boil water advisory.
• Household dishwashers generally are safe to use if the water reaches a final rinse temperature of at least 150 degrees Fahrenheit (65.55°Celsius), or if the dishwater has a sanitizing cycle.
• Sterilize all baby bottles.
  • 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 again.

Laundry

• It is safe to wash clothes as usual.

Cleaning

• Use bottled water, boiled water, or water that has been disinfected with bleach in order to clean washable toys and surfaces.

Caring for pets

• Pets can get sick by some of the same germs as people or spread germs to people. Provide bottled or boiled water after it has been cooled for pets to use.
• If bottled water is not available, bring water to a full rolling boil for 2 minutes, then allow it to cool before use.
• Boil tap water even if it is filtered.
• Do not use water from any appliance connected to your water line, such as ice and water from a refrigerator.

Caring for your garden and houseplants

• You can use tap water for household plants and gardens.

Additional Info...

This press release was produced by the City of Pasadena. The views expressed here are the author’s own.