Virginia Tech® home

Boil Water Advisory - Handwashing Station Requirements

ID

FST-381-2NP

Authors as Published

Renee Boyer, Professor and Extension Specialist, Food Science and Technology, Virginia Tech; and Ben Chapman, Professor and Food Safety Extension Specialist, North Carolina State University

When a fecal indicator is found in water that is an indication that the current water treatment is not effectively removing harmful waterborne microorganisms from the water. To safely use the water for handwashing in your area, follow these guidelines.

Potable Clean Water 

Use treated or bottled water  with a constant flow for washing with two hands

Coolers or Jugs

Clean coolers or jugs with free-flow spigot and a catch basin

Soap and Paper Towels

Have a trash can available

Cleaning a Water Jug

  1. Sanitize with 2 tbsp of unscented bleach in 1 gallon of water – Slosh to cover all surfaces.
  2. Let stand 5 minutes and drain. Do not rinse.
  3. Fill with potable water.
VT logo

Stay informed:
ext.vt.edu/covid-19updates
Updated August 26, 2020

NS state extension logo

For more details, see Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s DrinkingWater Advisory Communication Toolbox, go.ncsu.edu/cdcwateradvisory

For questions and specific information, contact your local Environmental Health Department


Virginia Cooperative Extension materials are available for public use, reprint, or citation without further permission, provided the use includes credit to the author and to Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech, and Virginia State University.

Virginia Cooperative Extension is a partnership of Virginia Tech, Virginia State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and local governments. Its programs and employment are open to all, regardless of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or any other basis protected by law.

Publication Date

September 9, 2020