Message 3 - Boil water facts

Make Water Safe
During an Emergency
Tap water may not be safe to drink during an emergency; listen to your local
authorities. Use bottled water if possible. If not, use one of the methods
below to make it safe. Boiling works best. Water contaminated with harmful
chemicals or toxins cannot be made safe by boiling or disinfection.

BOIL
This method will kill bacteria,
viruses, and parasites.

Boil your water for 1 minute.
At elevations above 6,500 feet,
boil for 3 minutes. Let the water cool.

DISINFECT
This method will kill bacteria,
viruses, and parasites.

30

Add 8 drops or a little less
than 1/8 of a teaspoon of
5%-6% unscented household
bleach to 1 gallon water.
For cloudy tap water, use 16 drops
or ¼ teaspoon

MIN

Add bleach
to water.

Mix well.

Wait at least 30
minutes before using.

FILTER
This method can remove
parasites.

Most portable water filters do
not remove bacteria or viruses.
Choose a water filter labeled to remove
parasites, and follow manufacturer’s
instructions.

Learn more:
www.cdc.gov/healthywater/emergency/
drinking/making-water-safe.html
CS316855-A