ND issues boil order effective immediately Published June 25, 2011 By Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs Ward County EOC MINOT, N.D. -- The State of North Dakota has issued a boil order effective immediately because untreated water has entered the Minot water system, which affects Minot AFB. It is unknown if the water is contaminated. Preventive measures need to be put into place until the quality of the water is verified. · Do NOT use tap water to wash dishes, brush your teeth, wash and prepare food and formula or make ice. · Water should be boiled or treated before use. Drink only bottled, boiled or treated water until the water supply is tested and found safe. · Boiling water kills harmful bacteria and parasites. Bringing water to a rolling boil for one minute will kill most organisms. · Water may be treated with chlorine or iodine tablets, or by mixing six drops (1/8 teaspoon) of unscented ordinary household chlorine bleach (5.25% sodium hypochlorite) per gallon of water. Mix the solution thoroughly, and let stand for about 30 minutes. However, this treatment will not kill parasitic organisms. · Containers for water should be rinsed with a bleach solution before reusing them. · Do not rely on untested devices for decontaminating water. Water from home distillers may be used. · This will be in effect for at least 24 hours, quite possibly longer, until the quality of the water is verified. · For hand washing, boiled or bottled water and/or alcohol-based hand sanitizer should be used.