What is a Boil Water Order?
Boil water orders or advisories are public announcements advising the public that they should boil their tap water for drinking and other human consumption uses 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 Jacksonville when believed residents should take precautionary measures with their tap water.
When a boil order or advisory is issued, the City of Jacksonville 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.
Frequently Asked Questions about Boil Orders:
During a Boil Order, can I use my tap water for…?
- 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..................See below
- Showers or baths............. See below
- Washing dishes................ See below
Can I wash my hands using tap water?
It is recommended that you wash your hands using soap and either bottled water or pre-bottled water. An alcohol-based hand sanitizer may also be used.
Can my family take showers or baths using tap water?
The risk of bathing or showering in tap water is uncertain and so should be avoided, particularly by people with open wounds or who are immunocompromised. For those people who choose to shower or bathe in the tap water, minimize the time spent in the water and be sure to keep your eyes and mouth closed. Babies and young children should not bathe or shower in tap water because they often swallow some water accidently.
Can I wash dishes using tap water?
No, it is recommended that you wash your dishes using soap and either bottled water or pre-boiled water (or an automatic dishwasher).
Additional Resources:
Morgan County Health Department -Guidelines in the Event of a Boil Water Order
Please contact the Morgan County Health Department (217) 245-5111 for additional information and information regarding guidelines for retail food establishments.
ADMINISTRATION:Business Office: Located at: 200 W. Douglas
Jacksonville, IL 62650
(Office Hours 8:00am- 4:30pm)
Mailing Address: 200 W. Douglas
Jacksonville, IL 62650-2040
Phone: (217)479-4615 Text: (217)370-4122 Fax: (217)245-2822
For Weekend/Evening Emergencies: (217)479-4660
Superintendent of Administration - Missy Young myoung@jacksonvilleil.gov
OPERATIONS:Water Plant Phone: (217)479-4660 jaxwater@jacksonvilleil.gov
Sewer Plant Phone: (217)479-4648 Fax: (217)243-1208 jaxwwtp@jacksonvilleil.gov
Superintendent of Operations - Rick Hearin rhearin@jacksonvilleil.gov