Owners of manufactured housing communities or water system operators of their private water systems are required to distribute boil water notices if contamination is detected by an annual water test, or a filed complaint results in a contaminated water test conducted by the Manufactured Housing Program.
In the event of contamination, MHP recommends posting a Boil Water Order (PDF) on the door of every residential unit.
Contamination can occur for reasons such as a water main break, water treatment or power failures, equipment failure, routine testing, and events including but not limited to flooding or sewage overflows.
If you are a resident under a boil water order, all water used for drinking (both for humans and animals); beverages such as coffee, tea, and juice; cooking; making ice; brushing teeth; and food preparation must be bought to a rolling boil for at a minimum one minute before use. Use bottled water for infant formulas and those with compromised immune systems. See the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention's guidelines for boil water orders for additional recommendations.