Water preparedness in the event of a hurricane

  • Toho Water Authority
    Toho Water Authority

Toho Water Authority would like to inform its customers that planning and preparing can make a big difference in safety and resiliency in the wake of a hurricane. The most essential need in a natural disaster is clean water.  Creating an emergency water supply for you and your family is an essential part of emergency preparations. We would also like to share the different types of boil water advisories that may be issued in the event of a hurricane and ways customers can receive notifications

HOUSEHOLD HURRICANE PLAN:

As part of their hurricane plan, households should have enough water to last at least three days. We recommend storing potable water from your tap vs. buying bottled water.  

Potable water: Tap water can be stored in clean food-grade water storage containers with lids. This water can be used for drinking, cooking, brushing teeth and washing dishes. Households should have one gallon of potable water per person per day for at least three days.

Non-potable water: Your household will also need water for flushing toilets, bathing and any other ways you use water that does not involve food preparation or ingestion. Fill up a bathtub (make sure the drain doesn’t leak), large container or clean trash can with tap water.

If your drinking water comes from Toho Water Authority and a “boil water order” has not been issued, you can assume that it is safe to drink.

THREE TYPES OF BOIL WATER NOTICES THAT COULD BE ISSUED:

Precautionary Boil Water Advisory – Water service has been restored and Toho Water Authority is testing the water to ensure it is safe to drink. As a precaution, customers are advised to boil their water for about five minutes prior to consumption.

Mandatory Boil Water Notice – Water testing results reveal that the water is not safe to drink and the water must be boiled for about five minutes prior to consumption.

Don’t Drink the Water Notice – Water testing results reveal that the water is not safe to drink and boiling the water won’t make it safe to drink. Use bottled water, if instructed.

All advisories will be rescinded (lifted) by Toho Water Authority.

WAYS THAT CUSTOMERS MAY BE NOTIFIED:

  • Door hangers at customer’s address
  • Local media outlets
  • “Our Alerts” section found on the homepage of www.tohowater.com.

Customers can also sign up to receive phone alerts for boil water advisories issued by Toho Water Authority.

Customers should be aware that, if water pressure is lost, service will not be restored until conditions are safe to do so.