WATER QUALITY

When necessary, the City may issue a Boil Advisory for your area. When this occurs, the City will notify you through local media, the City website, post on cable channel 1025, social media, and use any other means available to notify residents. Neighborhood advisories will be shared door-to-door.

• Once an advisory is declared a minimum of 24-48 hours is required before the EPA allows it to be lifted.
• A boil advisory is most often declared for potential contaminations –  even when that potential is very low.
• It is possible, but unlikely, that bacteria could enter the water system from power outages at or severe main breaks.
• Why boil? Raising the temperature through boiling kills bacteria and other organisms that might be present in the water.
• According to the Center for Disease Control, under a boil advisory all water used for drinking, cooking and oral hygiene should be brought to a full boil for a minimum of one minute. It is not necessary to boil water for other uses.

While the boil advisory is in effect, The City of Elyria also recommends that customers:

• Throw away beverages and ice cubes that have been made with tap water
• Refrigerate water after is has been boiled for drinking
• Refrain from swallowing water even while showering or bathing
• Provide pets with water that has been boiled – make sure it is cool before giving to your pets!
• Do not use home filtering devices in place of boiling; most home water filters will not provide adequate protection from microorganisms
• Use only boiled water to treat even minor injuries