Water service interruption response

Steritech’s free public health information brief gives you direction on important operational steps restaurants and other foodservice operations should take following an interruption of water service, such as an incident that would prompt a boil water advisory or an instance of water source contamination.

Summary

If a food establishment has water service interrupted due to a boil water advisory, contamination to the water supply, or any damage to the water supply lines, certain procedures should be followed both while the water supply is not available and after restoration of the water supply.

The guidelines mentioned in our educational brief are intended to assist with the development of temporary alternative procedures to address various food operations that are affected by the disruption of the water supply. If these temporary procedures are needed, it is important that the manager or person-in-charge (PIC) ensures that they are strictly followed. All operations must operate in compliance with food safety requirements and the directive of local regulatory authorities.

Steritech resources

Check out our other public health informational pages:

• Hurricane preparation and recovery
• Flood preparation and recovery
• Power outage recovery
• Tornado recovery
• Water service interruption response

Steritech can assist you with crisis management planning or sewage backup issues as well as any questions you may have about food safety following a storm. Steritech’s Customer Care Center is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-868-0089 to assist you with any of your needs.

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