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Listen to and follow public announcements...
Local authorities will tell you if tap water is safe to drink or to use for cooking or bathing. If the water is not safe to use, follow local instructions to use bottled water or to boil or disinfect water for cooking, cleaning, or bathing.
Correctly boil or disinfect water...
Hold water at a rolling boil for 1 minute to kill bacteria. If you can't boil water, add 1/8 teaspoon (approximately 0.75 mL) of newly purchased, unscented liquid household bleach per gallon of water. Stir the water well, and let it stand for 30 minutes before you use it. You can also use water-purifying tablets instead of boiling water.
For more specific information about clean water to bathe, drink, or cook with, see our article "Purifying Drinking Water."
If you have further questions about preventing illness, see "Keep Food and Water Safe after a Natural Disaster or Power Outage."
Source: "Key Facts About Hurricane and Flood Recovery: Protect Your Health and Safety After a Hurricane or Flood." CDC. 4 January 2008. Date Accessed: 27 June 2008.
Page Last Updated: 1/6/09 15:39