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What can I do without boiling my tap water first?

Unboiled tap water can only be used for washing, showering, bathing, flushing the toilet and running washing machines.

What will boiling the water do?

Any bacteria will be ‘killed’ when the water is boiled.

How long does the water need to be boiled for?

Simply bring the water to the boil and then use or cool as needed. Prolonged boiling isn’t necessary.

Can the water be boiled in a microwave?

If you have no other way to boil water it can be boiled in a microwave using a microwave-safe container. But, you must make sure you leave the water to cool completely before removing it from the microwave. Put a wooden stick (like a chopstick or coffee stirrer) in the container to prevent the water becoming superheated. Superheated water can cause hot water to erupt out of containers and cause scalding.

Can water from the hot tap be used for drinking?

No, you should never drink water from the hot tap. The kitchen cold tap is usually the only tap directly connected to the mains supply and the only one that should normally be used for drawing water for drinking and cooking.

Can the water from my instant boiling water tap be used for drinking?

Water can be used for drinking from these taps if it’s heated to 70 degrees centigrade for five minutes or more before being dispensed. Please contact the tap manufacturer to ask if your system does this.

What has triggered the boil notice?

Boil notices aren’t a decision we take lightly, and we’ll always act quickly as a precaution for your safety. We’ll put one in place either as a precautionary measure (e.g. when there’s been some damage to a water main and it’s possible that debris could have gotten into the water supply) or when one of our regular samples from around our network has shown there’s something not quite right. Samples are sent to our laboratory in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire where they’re analysed. If any of our tests show there's anything in the water that shouldn’t be there, we’ll do further tests. If these still show something’s not right, we’ll put a boil notice in place until we’ve been able to find out what’s causing the problem and put it right.

Is Anglian Water going to provide alternative water supplies?

We do have alternative supplies of bottled water, but we reserve these for customers on our Priority Services Register who are vulnerable and/or have special needs. We know it’s inconvenient, but most people will be able to cope without an alternative supply by boiling the water they need. If you have an urgent need for water, please contact us on 03457 145 145.

Why have I seen some people getting bottled water but I haven’t?

We deliver bottled water to customers who are on our Priority Services Register and who have a critical need for water or other needs that means they can’t safely or easily boil water.

Will I be compensated for the cost for buying bottled water or the cost to boil my water?

We know it’s inconvenient, but most people can boil the water they need. So there’s no need to buy in bottled water unless it’s for your own convenience. We follow the rules set by our regulator Ofwat and won’t usually give compensation unless you’ve been completely without water for more than 12 hours. If you have an urgent need for water, please contact us on 03457 145 145.

Why didn’t I get a text or email to let me know I needed to boil my water?

We send text and email updates to every registered customer within the area where the boil notice is in effect. If you didn’t receive anything from us it’s either that we don’t have up to date contact information for you or you may not be the main bill payer on the account. If you want to check what contact information we have for you, you can check at myaccount.anglianwater.co.uk or give us a call on 03457 145 145.
We use Royal Mail’s emergency postage system as a way to make sure every household is told about the boil notice but it can take up to 24 hours for those to come through letterboxes.

How will you keep me updated about the situation?

We’ll keep our website updated with the latest. Just head to anglianwater.co.uk/check and pop in your postcode.

How do I safely cool boiled water?

You can leave the boiled water to cool in a kettle, saucepan if you’ve used your hob or plastic container if you’ve used your microwave. Never decant boiling or hot water into glassware.

Do I need to replace my kettle if I’ve used it with water from my tap?

No. As you are boiling the water in the kettle any bacteria that may have been present will have been killed.

Can I put boiled water straight into the fridge to cool or does that mean it’s not as safe as leaving it to get to room temperature?

Yes. Boiling the water is what kills any bacteria, so cooling it in the fridge so you can use it sooner is fine.

How long can boiled water be stored?

Boiled water can be stored in the fridge in a suitable and clean container and should be used within 24 hours.

Do I need to use boiled water for washing up, by hand?

Yes, we’d recommend you use boiled water that’s been cooled to a safe temperature for hand washing all dishes, bottles and containers.

Can dishwashers be used safely?

Dishwashers are safe to use on programs that heat the water to 70 degrees centigrade for five minutes or more. Please contact the machine’s manufacturer for any enquiries.

Will water filters remove the bacteria or does the water still need to be boiled?

Water should always be boiled before use as you cannot rely on domestic water filters to remove bacteria. When we lift the boil notice, your water filters should be replaced.

Will water purification tablets remove the bacteria or does the water still need to be boiled?

Water purification tablets can’t be relied on to remove bacteria and the water still needs to be boiled before use.

I’ve drunk the tap water and now I feel sick?

Please contact your local GP, pharmacist or phone the NHS on 111.

Should we be drinking bottled water?

For convenience you may prefer to, but boiling your tap water before use is all that’s needed.

Can unboiled tap water be used to make up baby feeds?

No, cooled boiled water should always be used for making up baby feeds. Tap water mixed with sterilising tablets shouldn’t be used. Babies shouldn’t be given unboiled tap water at any time. Please note some types of bottled water may not be suitable for making up infant formula because of high salt levels (sodium chloride concentrations of less than 20mg/l are preferable and not more than 200 mg/l). There may be labelling on the bottle that show if it’s not suitable for making up infant formula. If you have any further questions please contact your midwife who’ll be able to advise you.

What’s the advice for babies or young children who put their hands in their mouth while bathing?

We’d recommend using cooled boiled water to bathe babies. For further advice please contact your midwife or health visitor. If children are likely to put their hands or toys in their mouth while bathing, we’d recommend a sponge or flannel wash while the boil notice is in place.

Are stored ice cubes or ice makers safe to use?

We’d recommend you dispose of any ice cubes that have been made using unboiled water. You should disconnect any ice making machines from the mains water supply. When the ‘Boil Your Tap Water’ notice is lifted the machine should be cleaned before using it again and any filters replaced as recommended in the manufacturer’s instruction manual.

Can I clean down my kitchen surfaces with unboiled water?

We’d recommend you use water that has been boiled and then cooled for cleaning down any surfaces where you prepare food.

What’s the advice for dialysis patients?

We hold contact details for dialysis patients our Watercare Register (provided they have registered with us) and these customers will be provided with an alternative supply of bottled water while the notice is in place. If you’re not on our Watercare Register and need to be, please contact us on 03457 919 155 and we can add you so you can start to receive bottled water. For any concerns please contact your dialysis administrator.

Can open wounds be bathed with unboiled water?

We’d recommend that cooled boiled water is used to bathe open wounds. For further advice please contact your local GP.

Can drinks vending machines be used?

The use of hot drink vending machines isn’t recommended unless the water is heated to at least 70 degrees centigrade. If your manufacturer can’t guarantee this, it should be turned off and disconnected from the mains water supply. Cold drinks from vending machines shouldn’t be used unless they’re in a can or bottle. When the ‘Boil Your Tap Water’ notice is lifted the machine should be cleaned before using it again and any filters replaced as recommended in the manufacturer’s instruction manual.

Should swimming pools be closed or not used?

The risk of illness from using a swimming pool should be minimal. Closing swimming pools isn’t something that’s needed while a ‘Boil Your Tap Water’ notice is in place.

What are the public health authorities doing about the situation?

We work closely with the Local Health Protection Team at Public Health England and Local Authority Environmental Health Officers to make sure any risks to the public are minimised, and to remove the ‘Boil Your Tap Water’ notice as quickly as possible.

What’s the advice about water for dogs, cats or other pets?

We’d recommend pets are provided with cooled boiled water for drinking. For further advice please contact your vet.

Canaries and other similar birds quickly suffer from calcium deficiency. Will boiling the tap water affect the calcium content?

Boiling water does remove some of the water’s calcium, but the main source of calcium for caged birds isn’t water, but cuttlefish bone, oyster shell grit or mineral supplements. Boiling the water in a ‘hard’ water area is barely different from tap water in a ‘soft’ water area. If you’re concerned, make sure your bird has a good supply of appropriate supplements.

What’s the advice for fish keepers?

Don’t change the water in fish tanks whilst the ‘Boil Your Tap Water’ notice is in place. For further advice please contact your vet or supplier.

What’s the advice for horses, cattle or other animals?

Farm animals normally drink untreated water from rivers, streams and troughs. Given that bacteria are already present in the environment the risk to animals drinking from troughs filled with tap water during a ‘Boil Your Tap Water’ notice is minimal.

What’s the advice for dentists?

Precautions should be taken to minimise the ingestion of drill bit cooling water. Mouth rinses should be made using boiled water that’s been cooled. Dentists will normally have a separate tank for drill water and in such circumstances the mains water supply feed can be turned off. The tank can then be cleaned and alternative supplies added directly to it. There are various commercial products available which may help remove any contaminants but we don’t generally recommend the use of these. Instead we’d recommend you physically clean the tanks by;
a) Draining the tank,
b) Refilling the tank with clean water,
c) Cleaning tank thoroughly using clean brushes if possible,
d) Draining the tank, and
e) Refilling it
We recommend that dentists contact the Local Health Protection Team at Public Health England directly for any specific advice.

What’s the advice for bars, restaurants, cafes and food and drink outlets?

All water for drinking and food preparation should be boiled and cooled as necessary. Bottled water may be used as normal. Fizzy drinks dispensers shouldn’t be used unless they can be adapted to use sources other than tap water. Please see advice above regarding washing up by hand, use of dishwashers and ice/ice making machines. We recommend food or drinks outlets contact their Local Authority Environmental Health Officers for advice regarding their specific circumstances.

What’s the advice for food or drink producers?

Food and drink producers should contact their Local Authority Environmental Health Officers for specific advice.

What’s the advice for schools, nurseries, nursing homes and residential institutions?

Children and residents should be offered cooled boiled water or bottled water. We’d recommend that schools and nurseries contact Local Authority Environmental Health Officers for specific advice.

What’s the advice for staff working in ‘misting’ environments e.g. garden centres?

Staff in this sort of environment shouldn’t be at risk, providing they don’t consume significant amounts of water. For any further specific advice please contact your Local Authority Environmental Health Officers.

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