When should a boil water notification be applied?

A boil water notification should be applied when the water system pressure drops below a certain threshold, specifically below 20 psi. This is critical because insufficient pressure can compromise the ability of the water system to prevent contamination. When pressure is too low, it may allow contaminants to enter the water supply, posing a health risk to consumers.

In most regulations, maintaining a pressure of at least 20 psi is essential for ensuring that the water remains safe for drinking and other purposes. When the pressure falls below this level, there is a higher likelihood of backflow and intrusion of pathogens, leading to the necessity of a boil water advisory to safeguard public health.

While pressures below 30 psi may also indicate a problem, a boil water notice specifically concerns the more severe scenario of pressure falling below 20 psi, where the risk of contamination is significantly heightened.