Sacramento Ready

If you're unsure about the safety of your water, do not drink it without treating it. Use only water that has been properly disinfected for drinking, cooking, making any prepared drink, or for brushing teeth.

• Use bottled water that has not been exposed to flood waters.
• If you don't have bottled water, boil water to make it safe. Boiling water will kill most types of disease- causing microorganisms that may be present. However, disinfection or boiling will not destroy other contaminants such as heavy metals, salts and other chemicals.
• If the water is cloudy, filter it through a clean cloth or coffee filter, or allow it to settle and draw off the clear water for disinfection. Bring water to a rolling boil for at least one minute, let it cool naturally, and store it in clean containers with covers or lids.
• If you can't boil water, disinfect it using household bleach. Bleach will kill some, but not all, types of disease-causing organisms that may be in the water. If the water is cloudy, filter it through clean cloths or allow it to settle, and draw off the clear water for disinfection.

Add 1/8 teaspoon (or eight drops) of regular, unscented, liquid household bleach for each gallon of water, stir it well and let it stand for 30 minutes before you use it. Store disinfected water in clean containers with covers. If you have a well that has been flooded, the water should be tested and disinfected after flood waters​ recede. If you suspect that your well may be contaminated, contact your local or state health department or agriculture extension agent for specific advice.

The information about emergency disinfection of drinking water was derived from guidelines that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency posted online at Emergency Disinfection of Drinking Water | US EPA