Hygiene advice if you have no mains water
Please follow our general hygiene and health advice if you have no mains water due to frozen pipes. This has been compiled following consultation with the Health Protection Agency Yorkshire and the Humber.
Flushing the toilet
If you can, look for other facilities nearby, such as those of unaffected family, friends and neighbours or public toilets.- If you have no mains water then save all water previously used for washing, cooking or washing up in buckets for flushing. Melted snow may also be used for toilet flushing but should not be used for drinking. Toilets do not need to be flushed after urinating.
- If mains water is unavailable, antiseptic baby wipes or antiseptic hand gels can be used for hand-cleansing after visiting the toilet. Please dispose of baby wipes in a bin.
Bathing children without mains water
- Bottled water can be used for bathing infants. Baby wipes can also be used for hand cleansing and washing infants.
Formula feed for babies without mains water supply
- Ideally use boiled bottled water, left covered to cool for no more than half an hour. Alternatively, use ready-made formula milk.
- We aim to provide bottled water to vulnerable customers who have no alternative means of obtaining bottled water. Any bottled water supplied by us is safe to use to feed your baby. If you buy your own bottled water, be aware that some natural mineral water may have a high sodium content. Look at the label for sodium or 'Na' and check its level is not higher than 200mg per litre. If it is, then try to use another bottled water. If no other water is available then use this water for as short a time as possible. It's important to keep babies hydrated.
Cleaning water containers (such as bowls and buckets to transport water)
If you have access to a neighbour whose supply is unaffected, water can be transported in clean containers and used for drinking and cooking provided it is boiled beforehand. Use an appropriately diluted bleach solution or sterilising tablets, following the manufacturer's instructions, to clean containers such as bowls and buckets.
Water for flushing toilets can be transported in any suitable container without the need for cleaning or boiling.
