Boil Water Notice in Altoona: What to Do (and What to Do After)

Quick answer: During a boil water notice, bring tap water to a rolling boil for 1 minute and let it cool before drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth or making baby formula. Throw away ice made with tap water. When the notice is lifted, run every cold faucet for 1 minute, make and throw away 3 batches of ice, and change fridge filters. Always follow the instructions in the official notice.

A boil water notice (also called a boil water advisory) means the water in your area might be contaminated, usually because pressure dropped during a water main break or repair. It does not always mean the water is unsafe — it means it has not been confirmed safe yet. The Altoona Water Authority (AWA) says testing usually takes 36–72 hours.

Why Boil Water Notices Happen in Altoona

Most local notices follow a main break or repair work. Recent examples include a February 2025 main break around 4th Street between 25th and 26th Avenues, and a December 2, 2025 break on the 800 block of 36th Street that affected Eldorado Springs, the Klock development and parts of southwest Altoona. Winter is a common time for main breaks because the ground freezes and thaws.

How AWA Notifies Customers

• Phone and text alerts go to the phone number on your AWA account. To update it, call AWA at (814) 949-2540, Option 1.
• Renters (whose name is not on the water bill) can sign up for alerts through Smart911.
• Notices are also posted on the AWA website and AWA Facebook page.

What Is Safe During a Boil Water Notice

Activity	Safe with tap water?	What to do
Drinking, cooking, making drinks	No	Boil for 1 minute and cool, or use bottled water
Ice	No	Throw away ice made during the notice; turn off the ice maker
Baby formula	No	Use ready-to-feed formula or bottled water
Brushing teeth	No	Use boiled (cooled) or bottled water
Washing dishes in a dishwasher	Follow AWA	AWA says not to use the dishwasher; CDC says it can be OK if it has a sanitize cycle or reaches 150°F — follow the local notice
Pets	No	Give boiled and cooled or bottled water
Bathing and showering	Usually yes	Do not swallow the water; sponge-bathe babies and young children
Washing clothes	Yes	Normal laundry is fine

Sources: Altoona Water Authority boil water advisory tips; U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

After the Notice Is Lifted: Flush Your Plumbing

AWA recommends these steps once the notice is lifted:

1. Run all cold water faucets at full flow for 1 minute.
2. Make 3 batches of ice and throw them away.
3. Run your water softener through a regeneration cycle.
4. Change refrigerator and other water filters.

Main breaks can also stir up rust and sediment. If your water looks brown or cloudy afterward, run a cold tap until it clears. If your hot water stays discolored, draining a few gallons from the water heater can help — see our hot water tank checklist.

Plumbing Problems After a Main Break

Pressure changes during a main break can knock loose debris and cause problems inside your home. Call a plumber if you notice:

• Low water pressure at one or more faucets that does not come back — sediment may be clogging aerators or valves.
• A toilet that keeps running or will not fill properly.
• No hot water, or rusty hot water that does not clear. See water heater repair.
• A new leak at an old pipe or fitting.

If there is no water to the whole street, or water is coming up from the road, that is AWA’s job — call their 24/7 line at (814) 949-2540. For problems inside your home, see our 24/7 emergency plumber page. Also read how to find your main shut-off valve so you are ready for the next emergency.

Frequently Asked Questions