What To Do After A Boil Water Notice Has Ended

Residents are advised to "flush" their water service following the lifting of a boil order in order to clear the plumbing of potentially contaminated water. Flushing your household and building water lines includes interior and exterior faucets; showers, ice dispensers, water filtration units, etc. Please use the following guidance:

Cold Water Faucets:

Run tap water until the water feels cold, one minute or more, before drinking, brushing teeth, or using it for food preparation. If you have a single-lever faucet, set it to run the cold water first.

 Hot Water Faucets:

To clear hot-water pipes and water heater of untreated water, flush the hot water line for a minimum of 15 minutes for a typical household 40-gallon hot water tank, and 30 minutes for an 80-gallon hot water tank or larger. Hot water is then safe to use for washing hands and for hand­ washing of dishes, pots, pans, etc. Never use water from the "hot" faucet for drinking, cooking, or other internal consumption purposes. Consider cleaning aerators (faucet screens) of any debris also. There can also be calcium carbonate buildup often caused by the heating of moderately hard water which Montpelier does have. 

Dishwashers:

After flushing the hot water pipes and water heater, run the dishwasher empty one time.

Humidifiers:

Discard any water used in humidifiers, Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP), oral, medical, or health care devices, and rinse the device with clean water.

Food and Baby Formula:

Discard baby formula and other foods prepared with water on the day or days of the boil order unless water has been boiled prior to making the formula. If unsure of the dates, contact your water department. 

Refrigerator Water-Dispensing Machine:

Water dispensers from refrigerators should be flushed by at least one quart of water. If unsure of your dispenser's capacity, refer to manufacturer specifications.

Ice Cubes:

Automatic ice dispensers should be emptied of ice made during the boil water order and run through a 24-hour cycle, discarding the ice to ensure the purging of the icemaker water supply line. For medical, dental, and food-service establishments, please refer to the guidance from the Department of Public Health.

Flood Event 2023 – There were no known instances of contamination entering the water system, the system maintained positive pressure at all times during the flood.  This boil water notice was precautionary.