Drinking Water Advisories

Water Flushing Advisory

If a water main break in your neighborhood caused a temporary loss of water service, you may be notified that your drinking water is at increased risk of contamination. As a precaution, you will be notified by a door hanger with instructions to flush your household plumbing after water service has been restored.

Flushing is important because water main breaks can allow dirty water to enter pipes. Even after repairs and disinfection, a risk of contamination may remain.

To flush your plumbing:

1. Turn on a cold-water faucet on the lowest floor of your home.
2. Open additional cold-water faucets one at a time, from the lowest floor to the highest.
3. Let the water run for at least five minutes.
4. Flush refrigerator water and ice dispensers.

The City of Rockville will test water samples for bacteria. If E.coli is present, a boil water advisory will be issued and affected customers will be notified.

Boil Water Advisory

Fecal coliforms and E.coli are bacteria whose presence indicates that water may be contaminated with human or animal waste. Microbes in these wastes can cause diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches, and other symptoms. They may pose a special health risk for infants, young children, and people with severely compromised immune systems.

If E.coli bacteria are found in your drinking water supply, you will be notified by a door hanger with instructions to boil your water. Boiling kills bacteria and other organisms in the water.

DO NOT DRINK YOUR TAP WATER WITHOUT BOILING IT FIRST.

Boil water for at least one minute and let it cool before consuming.

Use boiled or bottled water for:

• Drinking
• Making ice
• Cooking
• Brushing teeth
• Washing dishes
• Preparing food
• Preparing infant formula

The City of Rockville will notify you when tests show that bacteria are no longer present and you no longer need to boil your water.