Another Boil Water Alert?

Another day, another Boil Water Alert

If you  live in the UK you probably take safe tap water for granted but lately it feels like there’s a water alert every other week, with households being advised to boil tap water before drinking it, or to use bottled water until the problem is resolved.

So what does a ‘Boil Water Alert’ mean?

Heating water is a great way kill or inactivate bacteria, viruses and parasites. Most bacteria and viruses are killed at temperatures well below 100 degrees Celsius. To be safe, bring water to the boil so any bacteria or viruses that were in your water are killed or deactivated, making the water safe to drink. Boiling water is also effective against parasites such as Cryptosporidium.

If you receive a notice to boil your water before drinking, it means that the water in your tap might contain bacteria, viruses or parasites which could be harmful to your health. You should boil it before you drink it, use it to brush your teeth, make ice cubes, prepare food, clean feeding equipment or give it to your pets.

You should boil your water until it reaches a rolling boil – a kettle is the quickest, easiest way of doing this but they don’t hold very much; if you need a lot of water, you can do it in a saucepan on the hob. Remove the water from the heat and allow it to cool naturally. The water should then be stored in a clean container, in the fridge and should be discarded if not used within 24 hours. Boiling water can cause scalds so don’t attempt to transfer it to another container until it’s cooled down.

That’s all fine if you have suitable containers to store the boiled water. And don’t mind waiting for the water to cool before you can use it. And assuming your taps are still giving you water at all…

How will I know I need to do this?

Your local authority or water provider will notify you directly if there is an issue with your tap water and you check your water company’s website to find out updates. If your area is affected, then your water is still safe to consume, as long as it’s boiled first. Keep doing this until your water company tells you to stop. You can continue to shower, wash clothes and flush the toilet as normal.

If you have a medical need, your water company will be able to provide additional help, like delivering bottled water in an emergency. Help is available whether your needs are long-term or short-term, for example, you’ve just come out of hospital after having a baby. To get this extra help, make sure your name is added to your water company’s Priority Services Register.

What’s the alternative?

LifeSaver water purifiers were invented to deal with water crises overseas. They remove 99.99% of water contaminants – bacteria, viruses, parasites, sediment and microplastics -  without the need to boil the water or add chemicals. While we now see our ranges used mostly by keen campers, vanlifers, overlanders and hikers, they are still ideal for use in a water emergency – even in the UK.

The LifeSaver Cube is just 20cm tall/wide and capable of purifying up to 5,000 litres of water on just one filter cartridge – more than enough to get you and your family through whatever issues your water provider is having. You can fill it from the tap – if you still have running water – or from your garden pond, water butt or drainage ditch (if you have to) - and have instant, crystal clear, purified drinking water. The ultrafiltration cartridge removes the dangerous contaminants while the activated carbon filter will get rid of any pond water smell or funky taste.

While LifeSaver can usually get a Cube to you within a few days, for peace of mind why not invest in one now – before you find you need it? Our Cube Emergency Preparedness Pack is supplied foil-wrapped giving it a shelf life of ten years. That’s ten years of knowing you are ready for any water emergency. And if in ten years you’ve never needed it, once it’s been primed, provided you follow the storage advice, it will actually last indefinitely - or until the cartridge approaches it’s 5,000 litre capacity.

Take a look a the LifeSaver range to see which one will meet your household needs. And, if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Sources
https://www.dwi.gov.uk/receiving-a-boil-water-notice
https://www.ccw.org.uk/faq/whats-a-boil-water-notice