Water main break (Question)

[AdrianCC100]

Why is it advised to boil water after a water main break?

[Rukentuts]

Why is it advised to boil water after a water main break?

Because the water seal is broken and exposed to the outside environment so bacteria and other contaminants might be present.

[Deleted]

Because you get crap from outside the mains, such as dirt and and muck.

[Payday]

It also usually leads to a loss in system water pressure which could encourage growth of coliforms and other nasty little devils.

[Catta]

Because you get crap from outside the mains, such as dirt and and muck.

Dont forget smudge...



Anyway, because of bacteria.

If theres dirt in your water it doesnt taste any better after you boil it.

[God8010]

Not to mention the plastic and metal shavings and any chemicals used to seal the line. Get's really diluted in some places, others it might hit 30 homes and if you think cigarettes have some nasty stuff in em, that's nothing.

[Rukentuts]

Not to mention the plastic and metal shavings and any chemicals used to seal the line. Get's really diluted in some places, others it might hit 30 homes and if you think cigarettes have some nasty stuff in em, that's nothing.

Boiling doesn't do anything to this. Boiling is meant to kill bacteria.

[God8010]

Boiling doesn't do anything to this. Boiling is meant to kill bacteria.

Very true.

[OzoAndIndi]

Because if it broke up it could let contaminants into your, I assume, otherwise healthy and cleaned water supply. While it might not necessarily get rid of some chemicals, it should at least kill any bacteria and possible parasites that could try to find their way into it. Yuck.

[PACOX]

Because the integrity of the water has been compromised. They can't be sure what it could be contaminated with so its best just to be safe.