Precautionary Boil Water Advisory Information

Precautionary Boil Water Advisory

A Precautionary Boil Water Advisory (BWA) is a public statement advising customers to boil tap water before consuming it. Precautionary advisories are issued when an event has occurred allowing the possibility for the water distribution system to become contaminated. An advisory does not mean that the water is contaminated, but rather that it could be contaminated: because the water quality is unknown, customers should assume the water is unsafe to drink and take the appropriate precautions. 

An advisory is different from a Boil Water Notice, which is issued when contamination is confirmed in the water system. During a notice, all customers must boil their water before consuming it or use bottle water.

More information

For more information about Precautionary Boil Water Advisories or Boil Water Notices, please contact the Ottawa County Sanitary Engineering Department via 419-734-6725.

  1. Do I still need to boil my water if I have a filter system on my faucet or refrigerator?
  2. How long must a Precautionary Boil Water Advisory or Boil Water Notice be in effect?
  3. How will I be notified of a precautionary boil water advisory or boil water notice?
  4. How will I know when the precautionary advisory or notice has been lifted?
  5. Is the water safe for washing dishes, laundry, and bathing?
  6. Under what circumstances will Ottawa County issue a Precautionary Boil Water Advisory or Boil Water Notice?
  7. What are total coliform bacteria?
  8. What if I drank some water before I found out about the advisory?
  9. What should I do during a Precautionary Boil Advisory Water or Boil Water Notice?
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