Boil Water Notices and Hurricanes: Keeping Your Water Safe in South Florida
During a boil water notice, use bottled water or tap water brought to a rolling boil for one minute, then cooled, for drinking, cooking, brushing teeth, ice and baby formula. After a hurricane, the Florida Department of Health may issue a precautionary boil water order. Follow it until it's lifted, then flush your pipes and change your filters.
Why Boil Water Notices Happen
A notice usually follows a drop in water pressure, from a main break, a power outage at a pump station or storm damage. When pressure falls, untreated water can get into the pipes. The notice is a precaution until lab tests come back clean. In Miami-Dade, notices are often limited to specific streets, so check whether yours is included.
What to Do During a Notice
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Boil it right. Bring water to a full rolling boil for 1 minute, then let it cool. That's the CDC's guidance.
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Use boiled or bottled water for drinking, cooking, brushing teeth, washing produce, ice and baby formula.
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Showering is generally fine for adults. Don't swallow the water, and take extra care with young children.
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Don't rely on your filter alone. Most home filters, including RO, aren't certified to kill bacteria and viruses.
Before Hurricane Season
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Store at least 1 gallon of water per person per day for several days, plus water for pets.
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Know your utility and how it posts notices: Miami-Dade WASD, NMB Water or Homestead Public Services.
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Note when you last changed your filters, so you know where you stand after a storm.
After the Notice Is Lifted
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Flush your plumbing. Run cold taps for several minutes, starting with the highest floor.
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Dump the ice made during the notice and run the ice maker through a few cycles.
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Change your filters, including RO pre-filters and any fridge or pitcher filters.
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Flush your water heater if the water was discolored.
Our filter replacement scheduler makes the filter change easy.
If You're on a Private Well
If floodwater covered your wellhead, don't drink the water until the well has been disinfected and retested. Use bottled water in the meantime. Read our guide to private well water in South Florida.
Common Questions
Does a reverse osmosis filter make water safe during a boil water notice? Don't count on it. Use boiled or bottled water until the notice is lifted.
How long should I boil tap water? At a full rolling boil for 1 minute, then let it cool.
Can I shower during a boil water notice? Generally yes, but don't swallow the water. Use extra care with babies and young children.
Can I use my dishwasher during a boil water notice? Follow your utility's instructions. Many advise using a dishwasher only if it has a sanitizing cycle, or washing dishes by hand in boiled water.
How much water should I store for a hurricane? FEMA recommends at least one gallon per person per day for several days. Many Florida families keep two weeks' supply.
What should I do with my filters after a boil water notice? Follow your filter maker's guidance. Many recommend replacing cartridges and flushing the system once the notice is lifted.