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No.

Yes. Devices designed to improve the taste, odor, or chemical quality of the water, such as activated carbon filters, will not remove harmful microorganisms from the tap water. Boil the tap water to make sure it is safe.

Yes. Bottled water can be used for all situations where boiled tap water is recommended. Be sure that the bottled water is from a reliable source.

No. You should only use water from an approved, tested source. Without routinely testing the water there is no way to know if the water is safe to drink.

See your family physician or healthcare provider. Your doctor may call the Virginia Department of Health Office of Drinking Water at (804) 864-7500 for information about the boil water notice.

Your doctor should notify the local health department if he or she suspects your illness was caused by microorganisms in the water.

Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants. People with weakened immune systems, such as people with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, organ transplant patients, 
people with HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders, some elderly and infants can be at greater risk from infections.

These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers. 
Guidelines on ways to reduce the risk of infection from microbiological contaminants are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791. 

• You will be notified when tests show that the tap water is safe to drink.
• You may be asked to run water to flush the pipes in your home before using your tap water or be given other special instructions.
• Until you are notified, continue to boil all tap water for one minute before use.

In an emergency, boiling is the preferred method for making sure tap water is safe to drink. The following are acceptable alternatives if you cannot boil your tap water because of a power outage or loss of gas service:

• Use bottled water.
• Disinfect tap water with liquid household bleach. Bleach should be recently purchased, contain at least 5.25% hypochlorite, and contain no additions or fragrances. If water is clear, add 8 drops (1/8 teaspoon) of bleach per gallon. If water is murky, add 16 drops (or 1/4 teaspoon) of bleach per gallon. Stir bleach into water and let it stand for 30 minutes before using.
• Water purification tablets may also be used to disinfect tap water by following the manufacturer’s instructions. 

Use warm tap water and soap for handwashing. After hands are rinsed and dried, follow with a liquid hand sanitizer. The hand sanitizer must be used as an additional step; it does not replace handwashing. 

If using tap water in your food product, the minimum internal temperature must reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit or boiled water must be used.

Use boiled and cooled water when washing food products that will not be cooked afterward or purchase pre-washed items.