Stay safe during a Do Not Drink Water notice
Find out how to find another source of water, what you can use tap water for, and what to do when a Do Not Drink Water notice is lifted.
When a Do Not Drink Water notice is in place, it means harmful chemicals or toxins are, or could be, in the water. There are steps you can take to make sure you are safe.
Boiling the water will not make it safe to drink.
Find safe drinking water
When a Do Not Drink Water notice is issued, you need to find a new supply of safe drinking water. Commercially bottled water or water from a registered water carrier/tanker are good options. Your water supplier might provide these for you.
When collecting water from a water carrier/tanker, use clean suitable containers. If you don’t have water containers in your emergency kit, you can use clean soft drink bottles. Milk bottles are not recommended because it can be hard to sanitise them.
Using water during a Do Not Drink Water notice
When a Do Not Drink Water notice is in place, you should use bottled or tankered water any time water will be swallowed or near someone’s mouth, e.g. to drink, mix baby formula and brush teeth.
Boiling water will not make it safe to drink.
Use bottled or tankered water
You can safely do the following using bottled or tankered water.
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Drink |
Use bottled water or water from a tanker to drink, mix soft drinks and make tea and coffee. |
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Mix baby formula |
Use bottled water or water from a tanker to mix infant formula. Wash and sterilise bottles and teats in bottled water. If you are breastfeeding, continue as usual. |
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Brush teeth |
If you accidentally use tap water to brush your teeth, clean your toothbrush in bottled or tankered water. |
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Cooking and preparing food |
Use bottled or tankered water for all cooking and food preparation. Boiling water won’t make it safe for cooking. |
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Make ice |
Ice makers connected to the water supply should not be used. Use bottled or tankered water to make ice in a tray in the freezer. Throw out any ice that might be contaminated. |
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Give to your pets |
If the water is not safe for you to drink, it is not safe for animals. Give animals bottled or tankered water. |
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Water fruit and vegetable plants |
Water fruit and vegetable plants in your garden with bottled or tankered water. |
Use tap water with caution
You can safely do the following using tap water if you are careful.
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Shower/bathe |
Adults and older children can still shower and bathe normally. Be careful not to accidentally swallow any tap water when bathing. If you have recent surgical wounds or a chronic illness, use boiled or bottled water for bathing. Young children should be sponge-bathed because they are more likely to swallow water in a tub. |
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Hand wash dishes |
Dishes can be washed by hand using bottled or tankered water and detergent. You can also use hot tap water and detergent and then rinse the dishes in bottled or tankered water. Allow dishes to completely air dry. |
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Use the dishwasher |
Dishwashers can be used. Let dishes air dry completely. |
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Do laundry |
Continue to do laundry the way you usually do. |
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Wash hands |
Wash hands with soap and water. Dry your hands well after washing.
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Clean with |
You can clean food-preparation and cooking surfaces with a normal cleaning product. Allow the surface to dry before use. |
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Water houseplants |
Water houseplants and non-food plants as normal. Don’t use tap water on your vegetable garden or fruit trees. |
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Shaving |
You can shave as usual. |
What to do when a Do Not Drink Water notice is lifted
When a Do Not Drink Water notice is lifted, there a few things to do before it is safe to use your water normally again. If you are on a trickle-feed supply or have a water tank, you need to manage your tank first.
Manage water tanks and trickle-feed supplies
Trickle-feed supplies and water tanks need to be managed first before flushing taps and appliances. There are two options for managing your stored water.
- The best option is to drain your tank, rinse it with safe water and then refill it. This makes sure there are no harmful chemicals still in the tank.
- Continue to use tank water for non-drinking purposes until the water has been completely refreshed. Having tank water tested by an accredited laboratory is the only way to be sure it is safe to drink.
Flush taps and appliances
Before it is safe to use water from your tap or tanks, you will need to:
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run all cold taps for five minutes to flush out any contaminated water
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run clean water through appliances like coffee machines, water dispensers, and ice machines
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empty and refill any header or hot water tanks used for drinking water
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maintain any water filters according to the manufacturer's advice.
Test water for peace of mind
Having a sample of tap water tested by an accredited laboratory is the best way to ensure the level of chemicals/toxins is safe.