Austin: 5 Things To Know About Filters, Boil-Water Alerts
AUSTIN, TEXAS — As Austin residents deal with a citywide boil-water notice — a citywide safeguard issued early Monday in light of the drinking supply being compromised by flooding debris — water filtration experts provided Patch with important tips.
Austin-based Aquasana, a maker of the nation's leading filtration systems, shared a number of important "boil-water" facts and considerations designed to assist those dealing with compromised water quality. The tips come as residents contend with the city's far-reaching boil-water notice, an unprecedented step taken after high levels of debris, mud and silt were found at water treatment plants in the wake of week's historic flooding events.
Austin residents also have been urged to curtail their water use both inside and outside their homes, and keep showers brief. While it's safe to bathe in water drawn from the local supply, residents are also being urged to brush their teeth with bottled water or amounts boiled ahead of time before being cooled. The suggestions are made given the potential of bacteria in the water given off from all the flood-fueled debris.
Following are tips offered to residents from Aquasana:
Five Must-Know Facts About Water Filters and Boil-Water Situations
While the reason for Austin Water’s boil-water notice is reportedly excess silt resulting from recent rainfall and flooding, the main health concern for Austin residents is the potential of microorganisms in the water. Even if the water hasn’t tested positive yet, it’s important to take every precaution.
The term “microorganism” or “microbe” refers to any living organism in our water, including bacteria, viruses, parasites and cysts (e.g., legionella, giardia, and E.coli). Ingesting these can cause problems ranging from gastrointestinal illness to pneumonia.
Common pitcher filters, in-line refrigerator filters and most other filtration systems (e.g., faucet-mount, under-counter, etc) are not effective at eliminating bacteria and viruses.
The only in-home water filters effective at removing microorganisms are filtration systems equipped with an ultraviolet (UV) light or systems with a Microbial filter that are certified to NSF standard P231 for bacteria and viruses. You can read more about how UV filtration works here.
While boiling water is effective for killing bacteria and viruses (very important!), it will not remove the silt, sediment or debris from drinking and cooking water. The only way to remove silt is by using a water filter.
"Also, in case helpful – if you or your readers are interested in a filtration system for peace of mind in the future – we recommend A.O. Smith’s reverse osmosis system with Microbial Boost (available at Lowes) or one of our whole-house systems with the Sterilight UV Filter, which removes 99.99% of viruses, bacteria and chlorine-resistant cysts like cryptosporidium and giardia," Aquasana officials added.
Separately, Austin ISD officials published water-boiling tips issued by utility officials:
Boil Water Notice FAQs
"To ensure destruction of all harmful bacteria and other microbes, water for drinking, cooking and for making ice should be boiled and cooled prior to consumption," school district officials wrote. "The water should be brought to a vigorous, rolling boil for three minutes. You may also use bottled water. State laws require that a Boil Water Notice be issued if a water systems has (or could have) become contaminated from water main breaks, loss of system pressure, or results of routine sampling in the system."
What should I do if a boil water notice has been issued?Do not drink the water without boiling it first. Bring all water to a rolling boil for at least three minutes, and let it cool before using, or use bottled water. Boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes, food preparation, and water for pets. Boiling kills harmful bacteria and other organisms in the water that may cause illness. You should throw away ice made during the time the notice was issued (freezing does not kill bacteria).
Is the water safe for washing dishes, laundry, and bathing? The water is safe for washing dishes, but you should use hot, soapy water and rinse dishes in boiled water. There are no restrictions on doing laundry. The water is also safe for bathing.
How do I prepare food and baby formula? Only use boiled or bottled water for cooking, making ice, washing fruits and vegetables, and making baby formula. If you must use water to make formula, use bottled water. If you don't have bottled water, use water that has been rapidly boiled for at least three minutes.
How long will the need to boil water continue? Customers should not stop boiling the water until they receive notice from Austin Water. Typically the need to boil water lasts for 24 to 48 hours, but can be longer. How long will depend on the conditions that caused the need to boil, how quickly the conditions are corrected, and how long it takes for laboratory results to confirm it is safe to return to normal water use. Austin Water will provide updates on the progress of corrective actions and how long the event is expected to last.
What do I need to do when the notice has been lifted? Austin Water will notify you when it is no longer necessary to boil the water. You should flush your water system by running all cold water faucets in your home for at least one minute, cleaning automatic ice makers by making and discarding three batches of ice, and running water softeners through a regeneration cycle.
Why is the boil water notice important? Inadequately treated water may contain harmful bacteria, viruses, and parasites which can cause symptoms such as diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches, or other symptoms. They may pose a special health risk for infants, young children, some of the elderly and people with severely compromised immune systems.
About Aquasana (provided text):
Headquartered in Austin, Aquasana is dedicated to improving the overall health and wellness of every home by delivering clean, healthy and great-tasting water through its best-in-class water filtration systems. All Aquasana drinking water filters are NSF certified for the removal of 99% of lead and 76 other contaminants, including mercury, asbestos, pharmaceuticals, pesticides, PFOA/PFOS, etc. Aquasana’s family of award-winning premium water filters – including whole-house filtration systems, shower filters, under counter filters, reverse osmosis systems, portable filter bottles, and the first-ever powered counter top Clean Water Machine – provide easy and immediate access to healthy water at home and on the go. For more information, visit https://www.aquasana.com.
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