Whiteland under boil water advisory. What you need to know

Corrections & Clarifications: That article was updated after officials increased the amount of time the water needs to be boiled before consumption.

The Town of Whiteland is under a boil water advisory until further notice, the city announced Sunday.

Bring water to a full rolling boil for at least 5 minutes before consuming.

The advisory comes after several tornadoes struck Indiana over the weekend, devastating some communities.

The town of Whiteland in Johnson County, which is about 20 miles south of Indianapolis, took a “direct hit” from the storms.

More: Whiteland, Indiana, likely hit by EF2 tornado, NWS says after surveying damage

More: Severe storms, including possible tornado threat, expected Tuesday in Central Indiana

Here are some generally accepted health department guidelines used in boil water notices in the United States:

Why do I have to boil my water?

A 'boil water advisory' is a notification issued by your public utility as a preventive measure. Boil water advisories are distributed if there is actual or the strong potential of bacterial contamination in the drinking water system that could make you sick.

Should I use bottled water?

Water from an alternative water source is the best option during a boil water advisory. When bottled water is available, it is a good alternative to boiling water.

What is the proper way to disinfect my water, so it is safe to drink or prepare other drinks like baby bottles, Kool-Aid, sun tea, iced tea, frozen juices, etc.?

The best method of treatment is boiling. Boiling water kills harmful bacteria and parasites (freezing will not disinfect water). Whiteland officials are asking residents to boil their water for at least 5 minutes to kill most infectious organisms (germs).

Can I use my coffee maker, ice machine, water or soda dispenser?

Do not use if they are directly connected to your water supply. Use bottled water or water that has been boiled or disinfected for making coffee and ice. Also, filters don't work for removing bacteria.

Can I use tap water to brush my teeth?

No. Do not use tap water to brush your teeth. Use bottled water or water that has been boiled or disinfected as you would for drinking.

How should I wash my hands during a boil water advisory?

Vigorous hand-washing with soap and your tap water is safe for basic personal hygiene. However, if you are washing your hands to prepare food, you should use boiled (then cooled) water, disinfected or bottled water with hand-washing soap.

Is potentially contaminated water safe for washing dishes or clothes?

Yes, if you thoroughly rinse hand-washed dishes for a minute in a bleach solution (1 teaspoon bleach per gallon of water). Allow dishes to air dry completely. Most household dishwashers don't reach the proper temperature to sanitize dishes. It is safe to wash clothes in tap water.

Is potentially contaminated water safe for bathing and shaving?

The water may be used for showering, baths shaving and washing, if necessary, but don't swallow water or allow it to get into your eyes, nose or mouth. Children and disabled people should have their baths supervised to ensure water is not ingested. Minimize bathing time. Though the risk of illness is minimal, people who have recent surgical wounds, have compromised immune systems, or have a chronic illness may want to consider using bottled or boiled water for cleansing until the advisory is lifted.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Whiteland residents must boil water after tornadoes hit Indiana