What To Do After A Boil Water Advisory

During a BWA

Customer in the affected area should follow these directions:

• 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 container with a cover for storage.

Use bottled water or boiled water that has cooled for:

• Drinking
• Brushing teeth
• Washing fruits and vegetables
• Preparing food and baby formula
• Making ice
• Giving to pets

All recently made drinks, ice or stored water should be discarded. Water does not have to be boiled before it is used for bathing if it is not consumed.

After the Boil Water Advisory is Lifted – Flush Your System

WSSC Water asks customers who were under the Boil Water Advisory to take a few precautions.

Steps to Take

• WSSC Water recommends running all cold water taps for five minutes.
• If you have a single-lever faucet, set it to run cold water.
• Begin with the lowest faucet in your home or business and then open the other faucets one at a time, moving from your lowest floor to your highest. 
• After five minutes, turn off your faucets in reverse order, from highest to lowest.
• You should also flush your refrigerator's water lines. 

Customers and businesses should also dispose of any ice made since the precautionary Boil Water Advisory. The next three batches of ice should also be thrown out.  Ice maker containers should be wiped clean with a solution of two tablespoons bleach to one gallon of water.

If you still experience problems after performing the above procedures, or if you have any questions, please contact our Emergency Call Center 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 301-206-4002, 1-800-828-6439 or TTY 301-206-8345.