During a flood, drinking water systems may get contaminated with harmful bacteria, chemicals, waste, and debris. Your city, town, or health authority may tell you to boil all water before you use it when you return to your home. This is called a boil water advisory.
Find out more about
using water safely during a boil water advisory.
Flush your water system before you use it
Flushing your water system will get out the water that’s been sitting in water lines.
Flush the water lines even if there’s a boil water advisory and you’re boiling water before you use it.
Flush the water lines again after the boil water advisory is over.
To flush the water lines:
- Turn on all cold water taps for at least 5 minutes before you use them.
- Turn on all hot water taps for at least 5 minutes before you use them (even if the water isn’t hot).
Private wells and cisterns
Inspect your well or cistern for damage before you use it. Your well or cistern may have been damaged because of a loss of pressure. If there’s damage, your water supply may be contaminated with harmful germs.
Before you use your well again,
have the water tested for bacteria.
Don’t drink untreated well or cistern water. Boil all the water you use from a well or cistern, like you’re following a boil water advisory. You’ll need to do this until you know the water is safe to drink and use.
For questions about private water testing, and to get water testing bottles and instructions, contact
Alberta Health Services Environmental Public Health.
