During the notice
- Follow the official notice. Your utility or health department sets the instructions and the boundaries of the area affected.
- Filters do not replace boiling. The CDC states plainly: boil your tap water even if you filter it, including water from a home filter or a filtering pitcher.
- Skip the fridge dispenser. The CDC advises not drinking or using water from appliances connected to the water line, including ice and water dispensers, during any drinking water advisory.
- Do not use a filter as a workaround. Most home filters are not designed to remove germs.
When the notice is lifted: flush the house
Lifting notices often include flushing instructions, such as running cold water taps for a period of time. Follow the instructions in your utility's notice. If the notice does not say, ask the utility what it recommends for homes with water treatment equipment.
System by system: restart questions
| System | Questions to answer from the manual |
|---|---|
| Under-sink RO with tank | Should I empty and refill the tank? Replace pre-filters, post-filters or both? Sanitize the system? |
| Under-sink carbon filter | Should the cartridge be replaced after an advisory? |
| Whole-home filter | Should I bypass it while flushing the house? Does the manual call for sanitizing or a media check? |
| Water softener | Does the manual recommend a manual regeneration or sanitizing the resin and brine tank? |
| Fridge filter, ice maker | Replace the filter? Discard ice made during the advisory? Flush the dispenser? |
| Pitcher filters | Replace the cartridge and wash the pitcher? |
Manufacturer manuals differ, so the specific answer for your model is in its manual. If the manual is gone, the manufacturer or your installer can tell you.
Why cartridges are often replaced
Filter cartridges hold water and collect whatever passes into them. When a filter has been exposed to water during an advisory, many manufacturers recommend replacing it rather than continuing to use it. The CDC also advises wearing gloves when changing filters and washing your hands afterward. Write the date on each new cartridge so your schedule restarts correctly.
Order of operations
- Wait for the official notice that the advisory is lifted.
- Follow the utility's flushing instructions.
- Restart each treatment system per its manual, including any replacements.
- Empty and refill RO tanks if the manual says to.
- Discard ice made during the advisory and follow the fridge manual for the dispenser.
- Note the date and what you replaced.
Need help restarting?
If your system was installed by Living Water, Jorge can walk you through the restart steps for your equipment or schedule a visit. If you are not sure what you have, he can identify it and test your water once the advisory is over.
https://www.cdc.gov/water-emergency/about/drinking-water-advisories-an-overview.html
https://www.cdc.gov/water-emergency/about/index.html
https://www.cdc.gov/drinking-water/prevention/about-choosing-home-water-filters.html
Updated 2026-10-17 · Living Waters · Jorge Canela, Water Quality Specialist