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Under a Boil Water Notice: What It Asks of You
A boil water notice means bringing tap water to a rolling boil for one minute before you drink it or brush your teeth with it, or using bottled water, until your utility lifts the notice.
A boil water notice comes from whoever supplies your water, and around here that could be a city, Seminole County Utilities, OUC or Orange County Utilities. The county system alone is split into 11 separate service areas in its 2024 water quality report, so read the notice closely to see whether it names your area.
How long do you boil water under a notice?
One minute at a rolling boil. The Florida Department of Health puts it plainly: once the water reaches a rolling boil, let it boil for one minute. Ready.gov gives the same timing, "one full minute."
FDOH adds a line that surprises people: boil tap water even if it is filtered. A pitcher filter, a fridge filter or a whole-house system doesn't take the place of boiling during a notice. That holds for homes with a whole-house filter or a water softener too.
What if you can't boil the water?
Use plain household bleach. When the power is out and the stove is electric, FDOH's backup is to add 8 drops (about 1/8 teaspoon) of unscented 4–6% bleach to each gallon of water and wait 30 minutes. If your bottle says 8.25%, use 7 drops instead. If the water is still cloudy after the wait, FDOH says to repeat the dose once.
Check the label before you start. FDOH calls for unscented bleach, so leave scented bottles under the sink.
Florida Department of Health, 2026 emergency preparedness handout
Source: Florida Department of Health
Can you use ice, brush your teeth or shower during a boil notice?
Some of it, with care. FDOH says not to use ice from trays, dispensers or the ice maker while a notice is on; buy commercial ice instead. Brush teeth with boiled or bottled water. Bathing is fine as long as nobody swallows the water, which takes extra attention with small children.
Everyday water use under a boil notice, per FDOH
| Use | What FDOH says |
|---|---|
| Drinking | Boiled one minute, or bottled |
| Filtered tap water | Still boil it |
| Ice | Commercial ice only, not trays or ice makers |
| Brushing teeth | Boiled or bottled water |
| Bathing | Allowed, but don't swallow the water |
Once the notice ends, empty the ice bin so the first batch made during the notice doesn't end up in a glass.
Who issues boil water notices here?
Your water supplier does, and its notice is the one to follow. Check your bill if you aren't sure who that is; our find your town page lists each local system with links to its own pages.
Does a boil notice cover homes on private wells?
No. A utility's notice covers its own pipes. If you are on a well, the question after a storm is whether floodwater reached the wellhead. For a well that took on floodwater, EPA says to hold off drinking from it until a test comes back and to call your local health department. Our flooded wells and septic page has the details, and private wells covers yearly testing.
How will you know the notice is over?
The utility will say so, the same way it announced the notice. Until then, keep boiling. When it lifts, follow any steps the lifting notice lists for your home, and toss ice made during the notice.
Is it worth keeping bottled water on hand anyway?
Yes. A notice can arrive while the power is out, which is exactly when boiling is hardest. Ready.gov's rule of at least one gallon per person per day applies here too; see before a hurricane for storage tips.
Readers often ask
Does my fridge filter make boiling unnecessary?
No. FDOH says to boil tap water even if it is filtered. That goes for pitcher filters and under-sink units as well.
How much bleach do I use if my bottle says 8.25%?
FDOH says 7 drops per gallon for 8.25% bleach, instead of the 8 drops used for 4–6% bleach. Wait 30 minutes before using it, and repeat once if the water is still cloudy.
Can my kids take a bath during a boil notice?
FDOH allows bathing as long as nobody swallows the water. With little ones, a quick sponge bath with boiled water that has cooled can be easier than watching every splash.
Is the ice in my freezer safe?
Not if it was made from tap water during the notice. FDOH says to skip ice from trays, dispensers and ice makers and to use commercial ice.
A notice was issued for Sanford. Does it cover me in Lake Mary?
Only if Sanford supplies your water. Lake Mary runs its own plant, so check the name on your bill and the area the notice lists.
Where this came from
- Florida Department of Health — Health and Safety, Emergency Preparedness and Response (PDF, 2026) — one-minute boil, filtered water, bleach doses, ice, teeth and bathing
- Ready.gov — Water — one full minute at a rolling boil; one gallon per person per day
- Seminole County Utilities — 2024 Water Quality Report (archived) — 11 service areas; areas that buy water from cities
- City of Sanford — Water and Sewer — city water system
- EPA — What to Do With Your Private Well After a Flood — flooded well testing
- City of Lake Mary — Water Quality — city plant
- OUC — Water Quality Reports — Orlando water