What triggers a boil-water advisory, and what steps should be taken in response?

• A. Potential contamination or loss of disinfection; issue boil-water advisory, provide safe alternatives, collect water samples for verification, and issue notices.
• B. No risk; do nothing.
• C. Always necessary after any water disruption.
• D. Only for taste concerns.

Answer: (A)

When there is potential contamination or a loss of disinfection in the water system, a boil-water advisory is triggered to protect people from pathogens that could be in the water. In response, take four key actions: issue the boil-water advisory to inform the public; provide safe alternatives for drinking and cooking (such as boiled or bottled water); collect water samples for verification to confirm when the water is safe again; and issue notices with guidance and an estimated duration. This approach ensures immediate risk reduction, clear guidance for residents, and a defined path back to safe water once testing confirms it. The other options don’t fit because there may be real risk even if it’s not obvious, advisories aren’t automatically required after every disruption, and taste alone isn’t a reliable indicator of safety.