A localized precautionary boil order is meant to inform water customers in a specific area that conditions exist that may require them to boil tap water for drinking, cooking, making ice, washing food or dishes, or brushing teeth. While under a precautionary boil order, water customers are advised to use bottled water or tap water that has been brought to a rolling boil for five minutes and sufficiently cooled for these activities.

A precautionary boil order does NOT mean the water system contains outside material. It only means that there  has  been  a  loss  of   pressure  that may have made it possible for outside materials to  get  into  a part of the  water  system. The yellow notice advises you to take appropriate precautions until the Public Works Department has completed water quality testing and informed you that the precautionary boil order has been lifted.

A precautionary boil order is issued as a result of a water main break or maintenance activity that has caused a loss in water pressure that may have made it possible for outside materials to get into the water system. Not all water main repairs or maintenance causes a big enough drop in pressure to require this precaution—the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency’s Rules and Regulations call for the issuance of a precautionary boil order when the pressure in a water main drops below 20 psi.

A Precautionary Boil Order is simply a public notice advising customers to boil tap water before consuming it. Precautionary Boil Orders are issued when an event, such as a water main break or maintenance activity, has caused a loss in water pressure below 20 psi in an area of the water system, therefore allowing for the possibility of the water to become susceptible to outside materials. A precautionary boil order does not mean that the water system contains outside material.  It only means that due to the loss in pressure, it may have been possible for outside materials to get into the system. Until the water quality can be tested, customers are advised to take the appropriate precautions before using the water. Under these circumstances, the issuance of a Precautionary Boil Order is required by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.

A Mandatory Boil Order is issued if testing of the water system reveals contamination.

You will be issued a YELLOW door tag labeled “Precautionary Boil Order in Effect”. A precautionary boil order notice will remain in effect until laboratory sampling confirms there are no outside material in the water and it is safe to consume tap water without boiling. This testing typically takes 24-36 hours. The Elk Grove Village Public Works Department will notify you when the boil order has been lifted by placing a GREEN door tag on your front door labeled “Precautionary Boil Order Lifted”. Once the precautionary boil order is lifted, you may return to the regular use of your water service.

We do not recommend it. During a precautionary boil order, we recommend using bottled water or water that has been brought to a rolling boil for five minutes and then sufficiently cooled when consumed or used for drinking, cooking, making ice, washing food or dishes, or brushing teeth.

Bring tap water to a rolling boil for five minutes and then allow for sufficient cooling before consuming.

Moving forward, you should follow the recommendations in this FAQ about using your water until the precautionary boil order has been lifted.  In the unlikely event you become ill, contact your healthcare provider. 

Since pets can get sick from many of the same germs as people or spread germs to people, we recommend taking the same precautions for serving water to pets as we do for people. Before providing tap water to pets, bring tap water to a rolling boil for five minutes and then allow for sufficient cooling. Alternately, you can provide your pet with bottled water.

During a precautionary boil order, the Cook County Department of Public Health recommends using bottled water or water that has been boiled for 5 minutes and then cooled for hand washing. When this is not practical, tap water can be used to wash and rinse, followed by the use of hand sanitizer.

Yes, it is safe to shower or bathe in the water. We recommended making sure children do not put tap water in their mouth when they are bathing. When bathing infants, the Cook County Department of Public Health recommends extra precautions by bathing with either bottled water or water that has been brought to a rolling boil for 5 minutes and sufficiently cooled for use.

In order to provide assurance that the child will not ingest outside material that may be on the skin, cleaning the breast area with soap and bottled water or water boiled for 5 minutes and cooled prior to feeding.

Yes, but we recommended that you use bottled water or water that has been boiled for 5 minutes to wash and rinse dishes. Please note that dishwashers cannot be assured to completely remove material that may be in the water.

Yes, it is safe to wash clothes during a precautionary boil order. The precautionary boil order is only related to consuming tap water. 

No, you do not need to flush out your water system. We do recommend that you follow the instructions from the Public Works Department until the precautionary boil order is lifted.