What is a boil water notice?

A boil water notice means there is bacteria or other disease-causing organisms in the water. During the notice, do not use or drink tap water unless it has been boiled first.

How long should I boil water?

Bring water to a full boil and let it boil for one minute. Let the water cool before using it. A rolling boil is when water reaches about 212°F and large bubbles are continuously rising and breaking at the surface, even when stirred.

What should I use boiled or bottled water for?

Use boiled or bottled water for:

• Drinking
• Making ice
• Brushing teeth
• Washing dishes
• Preparing food
• Making coffee, tea, powdered drink mixes, or infant formula
• Washing hands
• Giving water to pets

Can I use bottled water instead of boiling water?

Yes. Bottled water is a safe alternative during a boil water notice.

What if I ate food cooked before the boil water notice?

Food cooked before the boil water notice went into effect on the morning of April 24 is considered lower risk.

If the food was prepared after the notice went into effect, it is safest to throw it away.

If you already ate it, monitor for symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, stomach cramps, or fever. Contact your healthcare provider if symptoms occur, especially if you are pregnant, immunocompromised, elderly, or caring for a young child.

I am pregnant. What does this mean for me?

Pregnant people should be extra cautious during a boil water notice. Do not drink tap water unless it has been boiled first. Use bottled water or water that has been brought to a rolling boil for 1 minute and then cooled for drinking, brushing teeth, making ice, preparing food, and washing fruits and vegetables.

If you already drank the water, monitor yourself for symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, stomach cramps, fever, or headache. Contact your healthcare provider or OB-GYN if you have symptoms, feel unwell, or are worried about possible exposure.

Is my fridge filter enough?

No. Refrigerator filters are not a substitute for boiling water during a boil water notice. Use bottled water or tap water that has been brought to a rolling boil for 1 minute and then cooled.

Do not use water from the refrigerator dispenser and throw away any ice made during the boil water notice.

Flush household water lines by running faucets and outdoor spigots for at least 5 minutes. This includes flushing water lines connected to your refrigerator, such as the water dispenser and ice maker.

What should I do if I washed fruit or vegetables with tap water?

If the fruit or vegetables were washed with tap water on or before the morning of April 24 during the boil water notice and have not been eaten yet, rewash them with boiled and cooled water or bottled water before eating.

If the food was already eaten, monitor symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, cramps, headaches, or other illness. Contact a healthcare provider if symptoms persist or become severe.

What should I do if I washed my dishes with tap water?

If you washed your dished on or before the morning of April 24, rewash dishes using boiled or bottled water before using them again. Once safe water service has returned, you may run your dishwasher through a full cycle before using dishes again.

What should I do if my pet drank tap water?

Give pets boiled and cooled water or bottled water during the notice. If your pet already drank tap water on or before the morning of April 24, monitor them for signs of illness such as vomiting, diarrhea, or unusual behavior. Contact a veterinarian if symptoms occur.

Can I brush my teeth with tap water?

No. Use boiled and cooled water or bottled water to brush your teeth.

Can I shower or bathe?

Yes, but do not swallow the water. Use extra caution with young children, infants, older adults, and anyone with a weakened immune system.

Can I do my laundry?

Yes. It is generally safe to wash clothes during a boil water notice. Use your washing machine as usual, and wash your hands after handling wet laundry.

Can I wash my hands with tap water?

Wash hands thoroughly with soap and rinse with boiled or bottled water, especially before preparing food, eating, or caring for others.

Can I use tap water to make coffee, tea, or powdered drinks?

No. Use boiled and cooled water or bottled water for beverages made by mixing with water, including coffee, tea, instant drinks, powdered drink mixes, and infant formula.

Can I use ice from my freezer or ice maker?

Do not use ice made before or during the boil water notice unless it came from a safe alternate source. Throw away ice made with tap water.

What food should I throw away?

Discard any food prepared with tap water on or after the morning of April 24, when the boil water notice went into effect.

What symptoms should I watch for if I accidentally drank the water?

Watch for:

• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Stomach cramps
• Headaches
• Fever or other signs of illness

Contact a healthcare provider if symptoms persist, worsen, or occur in infants, young children, older adults, or people with weakened immune systems.

What should I do after the boil water notice is lifted?

After the notice is lifted:

• Flush household water lines by running faucets and outdoor spigots for at least 5 minutes. This includes flushing water lines connected to your refrigerator, such as the water dispenser and ice maker.
• Run the dishwasher through a full cycle before using it.
• Replace refrigerator water filters if needed.
• Throw away ice made before the notice was lifted.
• Make ice for 24 hours and discard the first batch.
• Sanitize the ice reservoir before returning to normal use.

Can I use hand sanitizer?

Handwashing with soap and boiled or bottled water is best practice. Alcohol-based hand sanitizer is effective against E. coli when used according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Can restaurants and permitted food facilities stay open?

No. Restaurants and other permitted facilities may not operate during a boil water notice. They must remain closed until a safe water supply is verified by the water authority (City of Kannapolis).

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If you are unsure where your water comes from, use bottled water until you can confirm the source.

For health-related questions, residents may contact Cabarrus Health Alliance at 704-920-1213.

For more information on E. Coli: https://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/about/index.html

For more information on a Boil Water Notice: https://www.cabarrushealth.org/DocumentCenter/View/3687/BoilWaterNotice_Factsheet_webFor more information from the City of Kannapolis: https://www.kannapolisnc.gov/news/ID/358/Kannapolis-Issues-Water-System-Boil-Notice

The Cabarrus Health Department has a health information line available if you have questions regarding the Boil Water Notice. Please call them at 704.920.1213 until 9 p.m. and from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. tomorrow.

These FAQs will continue to be updated as new questions are received.