We just had a boil order. I’m curious as to why they’re necessary, how do people get sick, and why they’re issued
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The water that goes to your house stays cleans because the water system is pressurized. If there are cracks or holes in the pipes, water can escape, but particles and other contaminants can’t get it.
If there is a drop in water pressure, like when a water main breaks or the city is doing work on the water infrastructure, then there is a possibility that the contaminants that are normally kept out can get in the pipe and into the water. These contaminants can make people very sick, so the city will order people to boil their water to kill off any contaminants that get into the water.
The city will take multiple samples of the water and test for germs/bacteria. In our city, they take samples every six hours, and clear the boil order if 24 hours have passed with no contaminants found.
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