Boil-water notices: what they mean and what to do

Why freezes lead to notices

During a long freeze, mains can break, and burst pipes in empty buildings plus thousands of dripping faucets raise demand. If pressure drops low enough, contamination could get into the pipes, so the utility may issue a precautionary boil-water notice until tests come back clean.

Who issues them here

• City of Newberry Utilities, for customers in the city: cityofnewberry.com, 803-321-1018.
• Newberry County Water & Sewer Authority, for customers across much of the county: newberrycountywsa.com, (803) 276-7020.
• Town systems and utilities in nearby counties: see your water bill and our area pages.

During a notice

• The CDC's guidance: use bottled water, or bring tap water to a full rolling boil for 1 minute and let it cool before using it.
• Use boiled or bottled water for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth and mixing baby formula.
• Do not count on refrigerator filters or most home filters to make the water safe.
• Throw out ice made during the notice.

When it is lifted

• Run the cold taps for several minutes to flush the lines.
• Empty the ice maker and run it through a few batches, and replace refrigerator filters if the maker says to.
• Follow any flushing instructions from the utility, including for the water heater after a long notice.

On a private well

Boil-water notices do not cover private wells. If your well was flooded or the pump house broke open, have the water tested. SC DES offers low-cost testing. Wells after a freeze or flood.