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Question

How long must a Precautionary Boil Advisory be in effect?

Answer

An advisory will remain in effect until test samples show the water is safe to drink.

Details

The Indiana Department of Environmental Management, the State agency which regulates the drinking water industry in Indiana, requires that two successive tests taken at least 24 hours apart confirm that no bacteria is present prior to lifting the advisory. Each sample is incubated for 18-24 hours, depending on the type of test, to actually grown bacteria, if any are present. As a result, advisories will be in effect for at least 48 hours. If any bacteria are found in the samples, the water line will continue to be flushed by the Utility and the advisory will remain in effect until two consecutive samples have shown the absence of bacteria.