What is a boil water order about?
When a water system looses pressure due to a break or rupture in a water line, often the water company will isolate the break, in order to repair the line. When this happens, Amador Water Agency may issue a boil water order as a precaution against the possible entrance of contaminants into the system. Once the break is fixed and pressure is restored, the water company will flush the affected system and take samples for testing. If the samples show no coliform contamination for two consecutive days, then the boil water order is lifted. Residents re notified through “door hangers” or the media. Be sure to boil water used for drinking or cooking for at least five minutes. Also, discard your ice cubes in your icemaker. The Water Agency may also issue a boil order if MCLs (maximum contaminant levels) are exceeded or routine bacteriological testing indicates the possibility of contamination.
When a water system looses pressure due to a break of rupture in a water line, often the water company will isolate the break with valves, in order to repair the line. When this happens, Water Utilities will issue a boil water order as a precaution against the possible entrance of contaminants into the system. Once the break is fixed and pressure is restored, the water company will flush the affected system and take samples to the health department for testing. If the samples show no coliform contamination for two consecutive days, then the boil water order is lifted. Be sure to boil water used for drinking or cooking, for at least five minutes.
