What is a boil water advisory?

What Is a Boil Water Advisory?

A boil water advisory is issued by your local health or water authority when tap water may be unsafe to drink—typically due to a natural disaster, water main break, or detection of harmful microorganisms like bacteria, parasites, or viruses.

During a boil water advisory, it's recommended to boil tap water for at least one full minute (longer at higher altitudes) before using it for:

  • Drinking
  • Brushing teeth
  • Cooking
  • Washing fruits and vegetables
  • Making infant formula or ice

Boiling helps kill bacteria, parasites, and viruses that may be present.

Do LifeStraw filters protect during a boil water advisory?

  • LifeStraw Home Pitchers and Dispensers remove bacteria, parasites, microplastics, and over 30 chemical contaminants. However, they do not remove viruses. Boil water advisories can be issued for a variety of reasons, and not all involve viral contamination. Depending on the cause, it may be safe to use your LifeStraw Home system, but it's essential to follow guidance from your local health or emergency authorities. When in doubt, continue boiling your water.
  • LifeStraw purifiers like the Mission, Family, Community, Peak Series Gravity Purifier, and Max do remove viruses, and are suitable alternatives to boiling during a boil water advisory.

Where to Check for Boil Water Advisories

If you're unsure whether your community is under a boil water advisory, here are reliable sources to check:

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