While water companies are responsible for providing water supplies to communities, we’ve pulled together expert health advice below to help keep residents affected by water disruption safe.
If your community has lost water for an extended period, your supplier has a duty to provide you with alternative sources, like bottled water.
Check if you’re eligible for doorstep deliveries of bottled water. Sign up if you are.
- Watch this video to find out about the free support available
- Visit the Priority Services Register website to sign up
Hydration
Keeping hydrated is vital at any time of life but particularly so when older because we get less thirsty as we age.
Dehydration significantly increases the risk of infections, particularly urinary tract infections (UTIs) and pneumonia, even in winter.
It may be cold outside but central heating, heavier clothing and bedding can all lead our bodies to lose water that's important to replace.
To help reduce this risk during a water supply outage:
- keep bottled water in easy reach of the older person
- offer flavoured drinks and foods with a high bottled water content such as soup, jelly, sauces, custard and extra milk on cereal
- provide a full drink when giving medication.
For more information about dehydration visit the NHS website or Age UK website. Learn more about urinary tract infections.
Infant feeding
Always boil bottled water to at least 70°C to make up baby formula.
Let the formula solution cool before you give it to your baby.
The bottled water supplied by your water company is safe to use for making up baby formula but not all shop brands are suitable.
Check the label on shop brands to make sure they have no more than 200 milligrams (mg) a litre of sodium (Na) and no more than 250 mg a litre of sulphate (SO4).
Hygiene
For basic hygiene tips at home, and more, visit:
