PORTLAND, OR (KPTV) -

A boil water order has been issued for the entire city of Portland.
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Portland boil water notice: Frequently asked questions
What do I do?

All water used for drinking, teeth brushing, food preparation, and ice should be boiled at a full rolling boil for at least 1 minute as a safety precaution. Ice or any beverages prepared with un-boiled tap water on or after May 20, 2014 should be discarded.

The bureau will lift the boil water notice when results show no contamination. Results should be available sometime Saturday morning, May 24, 2014. The public should follow boil water precautions until the bureau notifies the public that the water supply has returned to a safe condition.
Who is affected?

An estimated 670,000 people located in the affected area that includes customers of the Portland Water Bureau, Burlington, City of Gresham (North of I-84), Lake Grove, Lorna Portland Water, Palatine Hill, Rockwood, Tigard Water Service Area (including Durham, King City and Bull Mountain), Valley View, and West Slope Water Districts.
Who is most at risk?

Infants, young children, some of the elderly, and people with severely compromised immune systems.
What activities do require boiling water?

Drinking
Washing food that isn't cooked or baked
Adding water to food or baby formula without cooking and baking
Ice making
Cleaning food contact surfaces
Tooth brushing and gargling
Eye washing or rinsing contact lenses
Taking water with medications

What activities don't require boiling water?

Showering and bathing
Dish washing with soapy tap water, as long as dishes are rinsed with boiled water
Laundry
General cleaning and mopping
Hand washing - use soap and towel, dry vigorously
Pet bathing
Watering plants / irrigation

How long will I have to boil my water?
The boil water notice is in effect until test results shows the water is free from contamination. First sample results will be available Saturday.
Is using hot tap water enough?
No, even hot tap water must be boiled for one minute.
Can I use tap water to brush my teeth?

No. Do not use tap water to brush your teeth. Use boiled or bottled water.
Is it safe to take a shower or bath?

Yes, it is safe to take a bath or shower, but be careful not to swallow any water. Use caution when bathing infants and young children. Consider giving them a sponge bath to reduce the chance of them swallowing water.
What about shaving?

Yes, you can shave as usual.
Will my home filtration system substitute for boiling water?

Home filtration systems vary considerably. To be safe, boiled or bottled water should be used.
What are the symptoms?

Most varieties are harmless or just cause brief diarrhea, but E. coli can also cause bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramps or vomiting.
What should I do about feeding my infant?

Continue to breastfeed if that's what you currently do. If breastfeeding is not an option:

Use ready-to-use formula, if possible.
Prepare powdered or concentrated formula with bottled water. Use boiled water if you do not have bottled water. Disinfect water for formula if you cannot boil your water (see directions below on how to use bleach to disinfect water).
Wash and sterilize bottles and nipples before use.
If you cannot sterilize bottles, try to use single-serve, ready-to-feed bottles.

I am unable to boil my water, is there an alternative to boiling?

If you can't boil water, you can treat water with unscented household chlorine bleach (5.25% sodium hypochlorite). Add 1/8 teaspoon of bl each per gallon of water if the water is clear. Mix thoroughly and let it stand for about 30 minutes before using.
What about my pet? Is it safe for my pet to drink or bathe in this water?



In three separate repeat water samples from May 20 to May 23, the presence of total coliform and E. coli was confirmed in routine drinking water.

Until further notice, all Portland Water Bureau customers and those in the affected areas should boil all tap water used for drinking, food prep, tooth brushing and ice for at least one minute.

PDF: Map of affected area
FAQ: Boil water notice questions and answers

Any ice or beverages prepared with unboiled tap water on or after May 20 should be thrown out.

The water samples that tested positive for bacteria were collected at Mt. Tabor Reservoirs 1 and 5, as well as the Southeast 2nd Avenue and Salmon Street water sampling station.

Those reservoirs have been taken offline.

Along with Portland Water Bureau customers, other local water providers also fall under the boil water notice. They are: Burlington Water District, City of Gresham (North of I-84), Lake Grove Water District, Lorna Portland Water, Palatine Hill Water District, Rockwood Water District, Tigard Water Service Area (including Durham, King City and Bull Mountain), Valley View Water District and West Slope Water District.

"While we believe at this time that the potential health risk is relatively small, we take any contamination seriously and are taking every precaution to protect public health," said Portland Water Bureau Administrator David Shaff.

Customers will be notified when they no longer have to boil their water after investigators determine the water system is clean of contamination through surveillance sampling.

Contamination can occur when there is a loss of water pressure, a pipe breaks or conditions expose drinking water to outside elements. The Portland Water Bureau is performing a full investigation to identify the cause of the contamination, but workers said it is not always possible to make an exact determination.

Customers can visit www.portlandoregon.gov/water/boilwaternotice for more information, or call the Portland Water Bureau at 503-823-7770. Do not call 9-1-1 unless you have an emergency.

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