Water Alerts

Tap water should be boiled vigorously for at least one full minute prior to using. Timing should begin when the water begins to bubble. Water should be boiled for the following uses: drinking, cooking, ice making, washing dishes, brushing teeth, preparing food or drinks and watering animals. Wait for the water to cool before using or store in the refrigerator in a clean container. Do not use water from any appliance connected to your water lines. Boiling removes any harmful bacteria that could be present in the water.

The water is safe for bathing and laundering clothes because bacteria that could be present are only harmful if swallowed. Use caution when bathing a toddler or baby. Consider giving them a quick rinse at the sink or a sponge bath since they can easily swallow bath water.

Household dishwashers are generally safe to use if the final rinse temperature reaches 150 degrees or the dishwasher has a sanitation cycle. To hand wash dishes, use hot soapy water (you may add one tablespoon of bleach per gallon as a precaution) and rinse the dishes in boiled water.

This advisory was issued as a precaution, so your risk of getting sick is very low. However, if you begin to have a fever, diarrhea, or nausea you should seek medical attention.

An advisory will remain in effect until the water line is repaired and bacteriological sample results have determined the water is safe to drink. Typically, there is a minimum of 24 to 48 hours from the time of the repair. Sometimes high levels of turbidity (which is a measure of cloudiness or haziness) in water can delay the sampling and testing process.

Hendersonville Water and Sewer will lift the System Pressure Advisory when the results from the testing have confirmed the water is safe to drink. You will receive a notification in the same manner that you received the advisory.

Customers are advised to "flush" their water lines following the lifting of a System Pressure Advisory in order to clear plumbing of potentially contaminated water. Flushing your household and building water lines includes interior and exterior faucets, showers, water and ice dispensers, water treatment units, etc. Please use the following guidance:

Cold Water Faucets:

Before using the water line for drinking, brushing teeth, making ice cubes, food preparation etc., make sure it is clear from any forms of particulate matter and air (milky coloration). Turn on the cold water tap and let it run until water becomes clear. You should also open all cold-water lines such as fountains, showers and outside water spigots and run them for five to ten minutes.

Hot Water Faucets:

To clear hot-water pipes and water heater, flush the hot water line for a minimum of 15 minutes for a typical household 40-gallon hot-water tank, 30 minutes for an 80-gallon hot water tank or larger. Hot water should be clear of sediment and air before using to wash hands and for hand-washing of dishes, pots and pans, etc. 

Dishwashers:

After flushing hot water pipes and water heater, run dishwasher empty one time.

Coffee Makers, Food Dispensers and Beverage Machines:

Flush equipment like food dispensers and beverage machines with clean water and follow the instruction manual on how to disinfect or clean the machine.

Water Treatment Device:

Replace water filters, water cartridges, faucet screens and aerators on all taps used as water treatment and filtration devices, in accordance with manufacturer recommendations. When in doubt, it is always best to clean, sanitize and disinfect any of these devices before using water again.

Humidifiers:

Discard any water used in humidifiers, Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP), oral, medical, or health care devices, and rinse the device with clean water, in accordance with manufacturer recommendations.

Refrigerator Water-Dispensing Machine:

Water dispensers from refrigerators should be flushed with at least one quart of water. If unsure of your dispenser's capacity, refer to manufacturer specifications.

Ice Cubes:

Automatic ice dispensers should be emptied of ice made during the boil water advisory and run through a 24-hour cycle, discarding the ice to assure purging of the icemaker water supply line.