In emergency situations, it may not be safe to drink the tap water.
Some North Jersey towns continue their boil water advisory that has now lasted several weeks. This can be uncharted territory for many families as people must alter their methods of cooking, drinking water and brushing their teeth.
Two separate water main breaks occurred within weeks of each other that left places in Paterson, Prospect Park, Haledon, North Haledon and Fair Lawn without water. While many have regained access to water, as of Aug. 26 some areas of these municipalities are still under a boil water advisory.
Local officials gave specific instructions posted on their town website on how to deal with this specific advisory.
While uncommon, boil water advisories have been necessary in the past across the country and even many times in New Jersey.
National, state and local guidelines have tips available on how people can deal with their water to be safe while also doing everyday tasks.
What is a boil water advisory?
A boil water advisory is typically issued as a precautionary measure. When water pressure is lost, such as what happened in Paterson and neighboring towns, water must be tested for contamination or bacteria through sampling.
Boiling the water is supposed to kill the germs in the water that can potentially make you sick, said public health officials.
Parts of Paterson, Prospect Park, Haledon and North Haledon have been under a boiling water advisory since Aug. 8 due the water main break near Hinchliffe Stadium. After fixing the pipelines, officials said the next step in the process is to flush out thousands of fire hydrants to ensure fresh water moves through the newly repaired distribution system.
In Fair Lawn, the boil water advisory was in effect as of the morning of Aug. 26 due to the seperate water main break near North First and Arch streets in Paterson. Their borough was in the process of testing water samples before the advisory can be lifted.
Can I shower under a boil water advisory?
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention, plus state and local officials said it is fine to shower under a boil water advisory but it is imperative that the person does not swallow any water while bathing or showering.
The CDC recommends bathing babies and young children with sponge baths to reduce the chance of them swallowing water.
Can I cook under a boil water advisory?
Officials said to use commercially bottled water for cooking meals, but if bottled water is not available, be sure to boil tap water. When bubbles appear from the water boiling, that is called a rolling boil. The rolling boil should last one minute in a boil water advisory. Let the water cool to avoid burns. Then you can use water for cooking, brushing your teeth or give to your pets to consume.
Even if you use a water filter, you must boil the water in a boil water advisory.
Other precautionary measures under a boil water advisory
If any food, ice cubes or beverages were made with tap water the day of the advisory, be sure to throw out all those items.
Officials recommend washing dishes by hand using a bleach solution under a boil water advisory. Hand wash your dishes as normal with hot water and when rinsing use one tablespoon of household bleach per gallon of tap water.
Dishwashers are typically safe to use, said CDC. Be sure they are on a hot wash and dry cycle of at least 150 degrees Fahrenheit.
Those that are under the boil water advisory can check for updates through various sources.
Those in Paterson and Prospect Park can follow updates, at the Passaic Valley Water Commission website at pvwc.com.
Updates can also be found on the commission's social media pages, including Instagram @passaic_valley_water, X @PVWC and Facebook at Passaic Valley Water Commission.
North Haledon and Haledon residents can track break updates by visiting muawater.net.
Fair Lawn will be posting updates on their town website and social media pages.