Campus water safe for consumption; university taps flushed

University facilities staff have finished flushing the plumbing for all campus buildings, including residence halls without kitchens, so it is now safe for members of the Brandeis community to consume campus tap water. However, those students living off-campus  in Waltham, or those living in residence halls that have kitchens, including Ridgewood, Village, Charles River, Foster Mods and 567 South St., should follow the directions below to flush their taps, in order to remove any contaminated water from their plumbing, before consuming tap water.

• Cold Water Faucets: Run tap water until the water feels cold, one minute or more, before drinking, tooth brushing, or using for food preparation.
• Hot Water Faucets: To clear hot water pipes and water heater of untreated water, turn on all hot water faucets and flush for a minimum of 15 minutes for a typical household 40-gallon hot water tank and 30 minutes for an 80-gallon hot water tank or larger. Never use water from the "hot" faucet for drinking, cooking, or other internal-consumption purposes. After this flushing, hot water is then safe to use for washing hands, and for hand-washing of dishes, pots and pans, etc.
• Refrigerators: Water dispensers from refrigerators should be flushed by at least one quart of water.
• Dishwashers: After flushing hot water pipes and water heater, run dishwasher empty one time.
• Humidifiers: Discard any water used in humidifiers, Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP), oral, medical or health care devices, and rinse the device with clean water.
• Food and baby formula: Be sure you have discarded any baby formula or other foods prepared with water on the days of the boil order. (If unsure of the dates contact your water Department.)
• Ice cubes: Automatic ice dispensers should be emptied of ice made during the boil order. Then, discard ice made over an additional 24 hour period to assure complete purging of the water supply line.
• Due to the flushing of the lines by residents and the flushing of the hydrants, some households in the affected area may experience a lack of water pressure and/or discolored water. However, this is an expected result and does not pose a health risk

We appreciate the help of all university members in dealing with the boiled water order that began following Saturday's water main break in Weston, Mass. The order was lifted this morning after the pipe was repaired and testing on the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) system was complete.