Boiling water?

[PostGhosty]

Just wanted to pop in for a bit of advice. The water main in our subdivision broke this morning (in michigan, big blizzard last night) so we are now under boiling restrictions for drinking water until further notice. So, do I need to boil the water for my tanks water changes?

Any thoughts?

[SGypsyMermaid]

i wouldn't, but i would test the tap water before doing changes to see if the nitrate levels are elevated.

[fOx]

What about things like ecoli and other bacteria? Presumably the water is not going through the treatment facilities, which means it's probably loaded with bad stuff... personally I would boil the water. But that's just me.

fOx

[merlyn2221]

When the same thing happened here to us over the summer, I called the township's water department. They told me that I should boil it for the fish and cats, too. Their reasoning: the plant was not able to properly treat our water since the main was broken and bacteria as well as other organisms were able to enter the normally sealed system.

I'm paraniod about my animals; I'd boil it...just in case.

The boil restriction doesn't usually last too long anyway. Ours was only for three days, but that was in the summer, when you could work on the pipes more easily.

Hope it will get fixed soon!

[SGypsyMermaid]

What about things like ecoli and other bacteria? Presumably the water is not going through the treatment facilities, which means it's probably loaded with bad stuff... personally I would boil the water. But that's just me.

fOx

hmmm...i think you're right. :oops:

[jonah]

If the pipes will be fixed within a week or even two, I just wouldn't do a water change. Just top off the tank with water that's been boiled (and cooled of course :eek: ).

[Boilermaker]

I think PostGhosty's water is being pumped right out of Lake Michigan?
so it may be ok.

[PostGhosty]

Thanks for the replys :D

I guess the water is being treated, but whenever there is a breech in the pressure they have to impse these restrictions until the water is cleared by the state testers.

[merlyn2221]

Eeeewwwww, Boilermaker! That's a disgusting thought.

Have you seen what's in Lake Michigan these days????

I have family up in the UP. Water used to be sooo nice, but anymore it's like every other lake...full of sewage.

[PostGhosty]

Yes, it is pretty nasty...thats for sure. Especially on the south end near chicago....

icky.

[oxygen]

holy cow! have you seen what the city of Whiting (near Chicago) does to the lake water alone? you have to hold your breath just to pass the city, and that's the air, never mind the water... It's worse... you're taken your life in your own hands just swimming!!!!!!!!! yikes!!!!!! I wouldn't drink the water even after it's boiled!!!
:confused: :eek: :eek:

[Adam]

Hi oxygen, which part of ontario are you from?

[Boilermaker]

I didn't know it had got that bad :oops: ,and I guess you could introduce who knows what organism into your aquarium.

[SnowBirdy6]

Why dont you just buy some spring water until your water is fixed??
I think thats the best way to do iit...then you dont h ave to worry about any unwanted living beings in your aquarium..