Boil Water Information

What should I do?

Tap Water

Do not serve water from faucets until local health authorities advise the water is safe for consumption. Use only bottled water from an approved source and/or boiled tap water. Boil water at a rolling boil for one minute to kill infectious organisms

Ice, ice-making, beverage & water vending

Ice bagged or made prior to the issuance of the boil water notice may be used. Ice produced in ice machines after the issuance of a boil water notice must be discarded and machines not restarted until the water supply is deemed safe by local health authorities.

Hand Washing

Do not use tap water for hand washing. Use only bottled water from an approved source and/or boiled (and safely cooled) tap water.

Cooking & cleaning

Food equipment and utensils and food-contact surfaces that must be cleaned in place (does not fit into a three-compartment sink), may be cleaned with steam with no additives, a sanitizing mix of bottled or boiled water and bleach (50-100 ppm) or other approved sanitizing solution. Do not use tap water for food processing or food preparation until the BOIL WATER NOTICE is lifted by local authorities. Use only bottled water from an approved source and/or boiled tap water for these purposes.

Dishwashing

Manually wash, rinse and sanitize dishes, food equipment, and utensils with bottled water from an approved source and/or boiled tap water utilizing a three-compartment sink in the approved manner. Use single-service articles when possible. Mechanical dishwashers may be used only to remove food residue and debris if followed by a manual wash, rinse, and sanitization as described above.

Rescinding the boil water notice

You will be advised by local officials when the “BOIL WATER NOTICE” has been rescinded (lifted). The City will issue an updated message. You can also check the City’s Facebook, and Twitter social media platforms for updates.

City of Deerfield Facebook

City of Deerfield Twitter

For more information, please contact the City of Deerfield Beach Water Department at 954-480-4370. You are also encouraged to visit the City website and click “City News” for the latest information.

Please share this information with other residents, especially those who may not have received this notice directly. You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or email.

What to do in Case You Receive a Precautionary Boil Water Notice

If during a hurricane, tropical storm or unforeseen emergency, our water system loses power and water pressure, we will issue a precautionary boil water notice (PBWN) to our customers. Water pressure keeps pollutants from entering the underground pipes that bring water to your house or business. When the pressure is lost, contaminants can seep into the pipes. This might allow pathogens (disease-causing germs) into the water that can cause illness if one drinks it or prepares food or beverages with it. So, as a precaution, it is important to disinfect tap water to kill any bacteria or viruses that may have entered the water, or use an alternative source of water (bottled water).

Under a boil water notice, water used for consumption can be disinfected by any one of the following methods:

Bringing the water to a rolling boil and holding it there for one (1) minute, OR
Using a disinfectant chemical. If you cannot boil water, you should put eight (8) drops of common household bleach (unscented) which is about ⅛ teaspoon, into one (1) gallon of tap water, then shake it, and allow it to stand for 30 minutes before drinking. If the water is cloudy, use sixteen (16) drops, about ¼ teaspoon of bleach instead of 8 has 5% to 6% active ingredients. Use food-grade containers. OR
Using water purification tablets or iodine that many sports and camping stores sell, and follow their directions.

You can also buy commercially bottled water for consumption and food preparation as an alternative.

Consumption includes brushing teeth, washing fruits and vegetables, and homemade ice. Tap water may be used for showering, baths, shaving, and washing, so long as care is taken not to swallow or allow water in the eyes or nose, or mouth. Children and disabled individuals should have their baths supervised to ensure water is not ingested. The time spent bathing should be minimized. Though the risk of illness is minimal, individuals who have recent surgical wounds, are immunosuppressed, or have a chronic illness may want to consider using bottled or boiled water (that has cooled) for cleansing until the notice is lifted.

Businesses and non-residential sites should take steps such as posting notices at or disabling water fountains and ice machines during the PBWN. If you provide water to visitors or employees, use commercially produced bottled water for drinking or beverage preparation (coffee). Foodservice operations have additional requirements from their regulatory agency.

After the water system is repaired, and the pressure is restored in the pipes to your home or business, the precautionary boil water notice will remain in effect for one to several days while bacteria tests are conducted to assure the safety of the water. The notice will be lifted (rescinded) only after tests prove the water is safe to drink. It may be lifted in sections of the city/county as those areas’ pipes are cleared and the water deemed safe to drink. The media will be provided information updates and you should listen for this important information on the radio and/or from the television. Flush your taps and dispose of ice made during the PBWN.

The employees of the City of Deerfield Beach, your public water system, take great care in assuring that your water is safe to drink, and we appreciate your cooperation with the precautionary boil water notice to protect public health during this difficult time. Please call us at the phone number above if you have questions or concerns. The County Health Department can assist you with answers to questions.

Broward County Health Department – Telephone Contact Number: 954-467-4700 ext 4231

City of Deerfield Beach 954-480-4370