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Guidance for Food Service After a Boil Order

After a boil advisory is lifted:

  • Flush all cold water lines for at least 15 minutes (hot water instructions follow below).
    • If the building has multiple levels, start at the top.
    • If your service connection is long or complex, consider flushing for a longer period.
    • If the water is discolored, continue to run it from the tap until it is clear.
  • Clean faucet screens.
  • Clean the water line strainers on mechanical dishwashing machines and similar equipment.
  • Purge all water-using fixtures and appliances of standing water (ice machines, beverage makers, water heaters, etc.).
  • Clean and sanitize all fixtures, sinks, and equipment connected to the waterlines.
  • Replace filters and prefilters, especially carbon filters, on any item that has one. 

Water heaters, water coolers, in-line filters, and other appliances with a water connection or water tank (such as appliances, humidifiers, swamp coolers):

  • Run enough water to completely replace at least one full volume of all lines and tanks.
  • Follow any other instructions from the appliance manufacturer. 

Beverage machines or beverage dispenser “guns” connected to water lines:

  • Flush the lines on beverage machines thoroughly. Sanitize lines. 

Ice machines:

  • Discard all ice made after the boil advisory was issued.
  • Flush the water feed lines by making and discarding at least three batches ice.
  • Wipe down the ice bin with a disinfectant. 

Water softeners:

  • Run through a regeneration cycle.
  • Follow any other instructions from the appliance manufacturer. 

Preparing, cooking, or reconstituting food:

  • Discard all food that may have been prepared during the order.
  • When in doubt, throw it out! 

Produce sprayers:

  • Flush the lines of the produce sprayers thoroughly after the advisory is lifted. Sanitize lines if necessary. 

Cleaning and sanitizing of tableware, kitchenware, vending machine components, and food contact surfaces:

  • Sanitize all food contact surfaces and equipment after the order is lifted. 

Dipper wells:

  • Sanitize all dipper wells after the order is lifted.