For the next day or two, you just swap your “drink from the tap” habit for a “boil it first” habit. It’s simple. Bring your water to a rolling boil for one minute—that’s it. That one minute kills any bacteria that might be hitchhiking.
Remember that morning coffee? You can still make it—just use water that’s been boiled and cooled. Same for your pasta, your iced tea, and even your toothbrushing. Yes, toothbrushing counts, because nobody wants a mouthful of funky microbes.
Imagine you’re making a big pot of chili for game day. You’d still boil the water for the beans, right? Exactly. The advisory is just a reminder to treat your tap water like you treat that chili base—cook it first.
But What About My Shower?
Here’s where it gets a little funny. You can still shower during a boil advisory—just try not to swallow the water. Think of it like a pool. You don’t drink the pool water, but you can swim in it. Just keep your mouth closed when you’re rinsing your hair.
Same goes for washing dishes. If you’re using a dishwasher with a hot cycle, you’re golden. Hand-washing? Just be sure to rinse with boiled water or add a splash of bleach to the rinse—your grandma’s favorite trick.
Boil water advisory lifted for over 11,000 in Maryland after main break
And for furry friends? Give your dog or cat cooled boiled water, too. They’re part of the family, and they don’t understand the concept of “advisory.” They just want a clean bowl.
