SUFFOLK COUNTY OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

WATER SOURCES

Safe Sources

•  Melted ice cubes.
• Liquids from canned goods such as fruit or vegetables.
• Water drained from pipes. To use the water in your pipes, let air into the plumbing by turning on the faucet in your home at the highest level. A small amount of water will trickle out. Then obtain water from the lowest faucet in the home.
• Water drained from the water heater. To use water in your hot-water tank, be sure the electricity or gas is off and open the drain at the bottom of the tank. Start the water flowing by turning off the water intake valve at the tank and turning on the hot-water faucet. After you are notified that clean water has been restored, you will need to refill the tank before turning the gas or electricity back on. If the gas is turned off, a professional will be needed to turn it back on.

Unsafe Sources

• Radiators Hot water boilers (home heating systems).
• Water from the toilet bowl or flush tank.
• Water beds. Fungicides added to the water or chemicals in the vinyl may make water unsafe to use.Swimming pools and spas. Chemicals used to kill germs are too concentrated for safe drinking but can be used for personal hygiene, cleaning and related uses.