Boil Order Information

Orders or advisories to boil water are public announcements advising the public that they should boil their tap water for drinking and other types of consumption like cooking, hand washing, brushing teeth, etc. Boil water orders are preventative measures issued to protect public health from waterborne infectious agents that could be or are known to be present in drinking water. Boil water orders are issued by the City of Edwardsville Public Works Department when it's believed residents should take precautionary measures with their tap water.

When a boil order or advisory is issued, the City of Edwardsville’s Public Works Department must take appropriate corrective action, continue to monitor its water supply, and notify customers when it has remedied the problem and the boil water order is lifted. Residents can find more information under the "Boil Orders-Current" section of the City website. For general information, residents may also contact the Public Works Department on Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 618-692-7535; for after-hour inquiries, please check our 24-hour water hotline: 618-692-7503.

Water Uses During A Boil Order

Unless otherwise advised, during a boil order, water to be used for recommended purposes should be boiled for at least three to five minutes. Follow these guidelines for acceptable tap water usage:

  • Drinking: No
  • Ice cubes: No
  • Brushing teeth: No
  • Baby’s formula: No
  • Washing fruit/vegetables: No
  • Preparing food: No
  • Coffee, tea, lemonade, etc.: No
  • Laundry: Yes
  • Watering grass or garden: Yes

Washing Hands

It is recommended that you wash your hands using soap and either bottled water or pre-boiled water. An alcohol-based hand sanitizer may also be used.

Showers / Baths

If you shower or bathe, minimize the time spent in tap water and be careful not to swallow any water. Babies and young children should not bathe or shower in tap water because they are likely to swallow water accidentally; a sponge bath is a possible alternative. People with open wounds or who are immunocompromised may want to consult their physician first. 

Washing Dishes

It is recommended that you wash your dishes using soap and either bottled water or pre-boiled water (or an automatic dishwasher).

Additional Resources

Madison County Health Department - Guidelines in the Event of a Boil Water Order or Interrupted Water Service.