According to the GLWA Water Quality Division, the water testing results returned appropriate chlorine levels and no bacteria was evident. The Boil Water Advisory is lifted for Rochester Hills, but continues for residents of Troy.
The incident began when a large water main broke on South Boulevard west of Dequindre. The cause of the break is still being investigated. The water main is owned and operated by the Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA).
What do you need to know during and after a Boil Water Warning?
Boil Water Advisory
From the Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner:
| 1. | Why has a precautionary boil water advisory been issued for my neighborhood?
During some water system repairs or replacements, the water system serving your premises may be temporarily depressurized. Whenever a water system loses pressure, there is the potential for contaminants to enter the system. |
| 2. | When is it safe to cook, wash, drink and clean with the water? |
| After the boil water advisory has been lifted. You can wash and clean with the water under a boil water notice (see #3 below) without boiling it first. | |
| 3. | Is it safe to shower under a boil water advisory? |
| Yes, unless you have an open wound, etc. that could let bacteria into your body. | |
| 4. | Is it safe to brush your teeth under a boil water advisory? |
| You should use boiled water. | |
| 5. | Is it safe to wash the dishes in a dishwasher or by hand under a boil water advisory? |
| Use heat dry in the dishwasher – pour hot boiled water over hand washed. | |
| 6. | How long should you boil the water? |
| The water should reach a rolling boil and boil for 5 minutes. | |
| 7. | Do you have to let it stand after you boil the water, why? |
| You should let it stand for about 15 minutes to minimize the chance of burning yourself. | |
| 8. | Why is the water milky or discolored? What should you do to get rid of the discoloring? Is it safe to use this water? |
| 9. | If the water is a milky/cloudy color and clears in a few minutes when put it in a glass (from the bottom up), then it is air in the water. Air in the water is an aesthetic issue and not a drinking water health concern. You can help by flushing your lines, starting with the outside hose bibb closest to where the service line enters your home. Flush outside about 15 minutes, then flush your inside faucets, etc. for a few minutes each.
Community Wells (water milky or discolored) – what should you do to get rid of the discoloring? Is it safe to use this water (cook, wash, drink, etc.)? For cloudy/milky color, see #8. If the water is yellow, orange, red or brown, it may be due to iron in the well water. Iron is not a health concern in well water but the discoloration is a nuisance problem. If you have a softener or filter, by bass it and then check the color. If it is clear, then you should follow equipment maintenance requirements (check your salt level and regenerate your softener, clean or replace filter, etc.). If the bypassed water is discolored, it may be due to increased velocity in the water mains (lots of water sprinkling, running a lot of water in the home by clothes washing/dish washing, showering at the same time or system fire hydrant use). Check and flush your outside hose bibb, closest to where the service line enters your home, to try and clear water color. If a hydrant was used it may take a day to settle down. You can contact the Billing Services Department to schedule a low-pressure service line flush at 248-858-1110 if the discoloring persists. |
| 10. | When trying to flush your water lines, does it matter if you are running the inside taps or the outside? Should you drain your hot water heater? |
| See #8 for flushing. You do not need to drain your hot water heater for a “precautionary boil water advisory” as you shouldn’t drink or cook with water drawn from your hot water tap. | |
| 11. | What can be done when there is air in the water lines? |
| See #8. | |
| 12. | Are there any precautions to take when you have low water pressure? |
| No, but you may want to put water some away in case you lose all water pressure. | |
| 13. | Does the use of bleach purify your water? How much bleach? (Under a boil water notice, can you use bleach to disinfect your water without boiling it first)? |
| Yes, when boiling is not practical, chemical disinfection should be used. You can use bleach to disinfect drinking water. See below for Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommendations. | |
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