(BIVN) – A Precautionary Boil Water Notice remains in place for customers within a certain area of Kaʻū following service disruptions caused by Hurricane Lala earlier this month.
The Hawaiʻi County Department of Water Supply (DWS) says the previously issued notice remains in effect for its customers in Nā‘ālehu, Wai‘ōhinu, Green Sands subdivision, Mark Twain subdivision, Discovery Harbor and South Point Road.
“Until further notice, DWS advises water customers, in these areas, to boil all water from your taps if it is consumed,” the officials said in a news release. “DO NOT CONSUME THE WATER WITHOUT BOILING IT FIRST.”
The DWS provided this additional information on Monday:
WHAT DOES A “BOIL WATER NOTICE” MEAN?
A Boil Water Notice Means tap water should be boiled before it’s consumed (drinking, cooking, or preparing food).Bring all water used from the tap to a rolling boil for a minimum of one (1) minute. To avoid burns, allow boiled water to cool before you use it. Boiling destroys bacteria and other organisms in the water. Boil your tap water even if you filter it. For example, still boil tap water if it has been through a home water filter or a pitcher that filters water.
Alternatively, customers may add between 1-8 drops of new, unscented liquid bleach with a strength of 5-6% (like Clorox) to each gallon of water for disinfection. Fill a clean container with water, add the chlorine and let the water stand for at least 30 minutes before using. The water will have a slight chlorine odor.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has the following additional guidance for using tap water during a Boil Water notice advisory.
Drinking and cooking
Use commercially bottled water or boiled water for drinking and to prepare and cook food. Breastfeeding is the best option for feeding an infant. If you feed your child formula, provide ready-to-use formula if possible.Handwashing
In many cases, you can use tap water and soap to wash your hands during a boil water advisory.Bathing and showering
Be careful not to swallow any water when bathing or showering. Use caution when bathing babies and young children. Consider giving them a sponge bath to reduce the chance of them swallowing water.Brushing teeth
Brush your teeth using boiled water or commercially bottled water. Do not use tap water that you have not boiled first.Washing dishes
If possible, use disposable plates, cups, and utensils during a boil water advisory. Sanitize all baby bottles.Dishwashers are generally safe to use if they have a sanitizing cycle or reach a final rinse temperature of at least 150°F (66°C). Check the manual or contact the manufacturer to find out what temperature your dishwater reaches.
To wash dishes by hand:
a) Wash and rinse the dishes as you normally would using hot water.
b) In a separate basin, add 1 teaspoon of unscented household liquid bleach for each gallon of warm water.
c) Soak the rinsed dishes in the water for at least one minute.
d) Let the dishes air dry completely before using them again.Laundry
It is safe to wash clothes as usual.Cleaning
Clean washable toys and surfaces with:a) Commercially bottled water,
b) Boiled water, or
c) Water that has been disinfected with bleachCaring for pets
Give pets commercially bottled water or boiled water that has cooled. Pets can get sick from some of the same germs as people or spread germs to people.Caring for your garden and houseplants
You can use tap water for houseplants and gardens, including watering plants you eat.Continue following the Boil Water Notice until the Department of Water Supply announces that it has been lifted.
If you have any questions, please contact our Engineering Division at (808) 961-8070 or the Water Quality Assurance and Control Branch at (808) 961-8670.
