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July 13, 2025
In this issue
Out of an abundance of caution, a boil water advisory has been issued for Crystal, Golden Valley, and New Hope due to a temporary drop in water pressure. While there’s no confirmed contamination, cities are following state health guidelines to make sure your water is completely safe.
What this means for you
Until the advisory is lifted, please boil your tap water (or use bottled water) before using it for:
- Drinking
- Cooking or preparing food
- Brushing teeth
- Washing dishes or baby bottles
Thanks to support from the City of Minneapolis, the required testing process is underway. It takes 16–18 hours for results to come back, so the advisory will remain in place for at least 24 hours. When lab testing is complete, the information will be shared here as soon as it is available.
City crews have already fixed the pressure issue and are flushing and sampling the system to make sure everything meets health and safety standards.
City webpages are publishing updates regarding the status of the advisory.
Crystal Emergency Alert Webpage
Golden Valley Civic Alerts Webpage
What should I do during an advisory?
During a boil water advisory, boil the water before using it. Boiling kills bacteria and other organisms in the water. Bring water to a rolling boil for one minute and let it cool before using it. Another option is to use bottled water. Use boiled or bottled water for drinking, brushing teeth, washing dishes, and preparing food until further notice.
Is it safe to use tap water to cook or make beverages during an advisory?
During a boil water advisory, use boiled water to cook or make beverages. Throw away any beverages or food made with tap water that was not boiled. Do not use beverage dispenser systems directly connected to the water supply, such as coffee machines and post-mix beverage dispensers, until the boil water advisory has been lifted and the beverage lines have been flushed with safe water.
Is it safe to use tap water to prepare foods during an advisory?
During a boil water advisory, use boiled water to prepare foods, including washing fruits and vegetables. You may choose to use pre-washed fruits and vegetables. Thaw foods in the refrigerator, not under running water.
Is it safe to bathe, shower, or wash my hands during an advisory?
During a boil water advisory, adults may use water to bathe or shower. Be careful not to swallow any water when bathing or showering. Infants and young children should not bathe or shower using contaminated water since they may swallow some of it. People of all ages may use tap water to wash hands. Washing your hands regularly with soap and water is encouraged to protect you from illness.
Is it safe to use tap water to wash dishes during an advisory?
During a boil water advisory, commercial grade mechanical dishwashers may be used. (Home dishwashers typically do not reach temperatures that kill bacteria and should not be used.) Follow all instructions on the machine data plate. Use a thermometer to verify correct temperatures on machines that use heat to sanitize. Use chemical test strips to verify that chemical sanitizers work correctly. For manual washing, follow the Minnesota Department of Health’s instructions on Safe Sanitizing.
Is it safe to use tap water to brush teeth during an advisory?
During a boil water advisory, use cooled boiled water to brush teeth.
Is it safe to use tap water to make ice during an advisory?
During a boil water advisory, do not use tap water to make ice. Use commercial ice made at an establishment that is not affected by an advisory.
Throw away ice that was made before or during the advisory, including ice from an icemaker. Wash ice bins with water from a safe alternative source and sanitize prior to reuse. Sanitize by making a solution of one tablespoon of regular, unscented chlorine bleach mixed with one gallon of water from an alternative source. Apply for at least 30 seconds and allow to air dry.
What should I do when an advisory is lifted?
- Flush household pipes and faucets. Run each cold-water faucet for five minutes or until the water is noticeably colder.
- Throw away any existing ice. If you have an icemaker, flush the feed lines and throw away the first new bin of ice.
- Flush hot water heaters, water coolers, and any other water storage container. Flush with at least one full tank volume.
- Clean water softeners and filters following the manufacturer’s instructions. Replace disposable filters.
This information was provided by the Minnesota Department of Health.
More like it can be found on this guidance document.
- General environmental health
- Basic food safety classes
- Temporary food stand licensing
- Food license information, categories, and fee schedule
- New construction or remodeling application
Radon information and test kits
hennepin.us/radon
Septic system requirements and procedures
hennepin.us/septic
Body art licensing information (tattooing and piercing)
hennepin.us/bodyart
Beaches in Hennepin County
hennepin.us/beaches
Public swimming pool regulations
hennepin.us/pools
About us
Food Digest is a quarterly newsletter written by inspectors from Hennepin
County Public Health Department and designed to support and educate Hennepin County food facility owners and operators. Articles focus on food
safety and requirements from the Minnesota Food Code and Hennepin County food ordinance.
Location
479 Prairie Center Drive
Eden Prairie, MN 55344
8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
612-543-5200
hennepin.us/envhealth
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