Drinking Water Communication Resources

What to know

Download, use, and share the materials below about how to avoid getting sick from tap water and other drinking water.

Fact sheet

water treatment while hiking, camping, and traveling
Water treatment while hiking, camping, and traveling
Learn what treatment methods remove different types of germs from water.
Download
Download

Social media

Use these sample messages and downloadable graphics to share information about safe water on social media.

Protect yourself at home

Keeping humidifiers clean

Download
Small humidifier releasing mist. Text overlay says, "Follow the manufacturer's instructions when using humidifiers to keep germs from growing and spreading."
Download this graphic and share it on social media with the message below.

English 1200x675 | Spanish 1200x675

Message: Germs can live in humidifiers and spread through the air when you turn them on. Prevent germs from growing in your humidifier by emptying the water daily, allowing it to air dry, and disinfecting it according to your humidifier’s instructions: cdc.gov/drinking-water/prevention/preventing-waterborne-germs-at-home.html

Rinsing sinuses

Download
Person with their eyes closed putting a neti pot in their nostril. Text to the right of the image says, “Only use distilled or previously boiled (and cooled) water when rinsing sinuses.”
Download this graphic and share it on social media with the message below.

English 1200x675 | English 1080x1080 | Spanish 1200x675

Message: Some germs that grow in water pipes can make you sick if they go up your nose. To avoid getting sick, never use water straight from the tap to rinse your sinuses. Learn more about safely rinsing sinuses: cdc.gov/naegleria/prevention/sinus-rinsing.html

Flushing taps

Download
Running faucet in kitchen. Text overlay says, "Flush your water pipes if you have been away from home more than a week."
Download this graphic and share it on social media with the message below.

English 1200x675 | Spanish 1200x675

Message: Germs can grow inside your pipes when there is no running water. Flush germs out by running the cold water for 2 minutes and then running the hot water until it feels hot. More tips for avoiding germs in water pipes: cdc.gov/drinking-water/prevention/preventing-waterborne-germs-at-home.html

Flushing water heaters

Download
Large water heater in a utility room. Text overlay says, "Flush your water heater according to the manufacturer's instructions to reduce the growth of germs."
Download this graphic and share it on social media with the message below.

English 1200x675 | Spanish 1200x675

Message: Flushing your water heater can remove germs and extend its life. Manufacturers recommend doing it annually, if the water is discolored, before you move into a home, and after plumbing work. Follow the manufacturer's instructions or use a professional. cdc.gov/drinking-water/prevention/preventing-waterborne-germs-at-home.html

Hiking and camping

Download
Pot of boiling water over a campfire. Text overlay says, "Boiling for at least 1 minute is the best way to kills germs in water."
Download this graphic and share it on social media with the message below.

1200x675 size | 1080x1080 size | 1200x627 size

Message: Always boil for at least 1 minute or filter and disinfect water from lakes, rivers, and streams before drinking or cooking with it. Learn how to make water safe: cdc.gov/drinking-water/prevention/water-treatment-hiking-camping-traveling.html

Download
Hiker looking surprised. Text overlay says, “Diarrhea can take your hike from super to pooper”
Download this graphic and share it on social media with the message below.

1200x675 size | 1080x1080 size | 1200x627 size

Message: Don't let the runs ruin your camping or hiking trip! Avoid diarrhea by boiling or filtering and disinfecting water from lakes, rivers, and streams. Learn how to make water safe: cdc.gov/drinking-water/prevention/water-treatment-hiking-camping-traveling.html

Download
Hiker on a peak overlooking mountain ranges. Hiker lifts the lid of a kettle of water boiling on a portable stove, with pots and mugs nearby.
Download this graphic and share it on social media with the message below.

Message: Boiling for at least 1 minute is the best way to kill germs in water. At elevations above 6,500 feet, boil water for 3 minutes to kill germs. Find more options for making water from streams, lakes, and rivers safe to drink: cdc.gov/drinking-water/prevention/water-treatment-hiking-camping-traveling.html

Download
Table with camping supplies on it, including a portable gas stove, water kettle, water bottle, matches, hiking boots, bowls, and utensils.
Download this graphic and share it on social media with the message below.

Message: Packing for your next camping trip? Don’t forget supplies to treat your water to kill germs. See what you need to make water safe to drink and cook with: cdc.gov/drinking-water/prevention/water-treatment-hiking-camping-traveling.html

Download
Hiker sitting next to a clear mountain lake and using a filter to treat water from the lake.
Download this graphic and share it on social media with the message below.

Message: Even if lakes and streams look clean, germs that can make you sick might still be in the water. Avoid getting diarrhea by boiling or filtering and disinfecting water from natural bodies of water before drinking or cooking with it: cdc.gov/drinking-water/prevention/water-treatment-hiking-camping-traveling.html

Download
Pot of boiling water on a small, portable gas stove outside.
Download this graphic and share it on social media with the message below.

Message: Getting your water from a lake or stream while camping? Boiling water is the best way to kill germs that could make you sick. The next best option is to filter water and then disinfect the filtered water. Take these steps to avoid diarrhea: cdc.gov/drinking-water/prevention/water-treatment-hiking-camping-traveling.html#cdc_prevention_pre-prevention-steps-and-strategies

Download
Hikers pumping water from a stream into a filter. A tube from the filter moves filtered water into a reusable water bottle.
Download this graphic and share it on social media with the message below.

1200x675 size | 1080x1080 size

Message: Going hiking or camping? Treat water from streams or lakes before drinking it and bury poop at least 200 feet away from water if there are no toilets. Learn more about keeping water safe on the trail: cdc.gov/drinking-water/prevention/water-treatment-hiking-camping-traveling.html

Download
Smiling hiker carrying a reusable water bottle
Download this graphic and share it on social media with the message below.

Message: Camping and hiking are great ways to recharge. When planning your next outdoor adventure, make sure your water is safe to drink with these tips: cdc.gov/drinking-water/prevention/water-treatment-hiking-camping-traveling.html

Download
Hiker holding a water filter in a mountain stream in one hand and drinking out of a water bottle with the other hand.
Download this graphic and share it on social media with the message below.

Message: DYK? The best ways to remove parasites that cause diarrhea—like Giardia & Cryptosporidium—from water is to boil or filter it. Chemicals like iodine or chlorine often don’t kill these germs. Learn how long to boil and what type of filter to use: cdc.gov/drinking-water/prevention/water-treatment-hiking-camping-traveling.html#cdc_prevention_pre-prevention-steps-and-strategies

Download
Water container with volume markings, water filter cartridge, and water disinfectant tablets on a wooden surface.
Download this graphic and share it on social media with the message below.

Message: DYK? Bacteria and viruses that cause diarrhea pass through most water filters. Kill these germs before drinking lake or stream water by boiling the water or filtering and disinfecting water with chemicals like iodine or chlorine. More safe water tips: cdc.gov/drinking-water/prevention/water-treatment-hiking-camping-traveling.html#cdc_prevention_pre-prevention-steps-and-strategies

Toolkits for health departments

Use these toolkits before, during, and after a drinking water advisory or an outbreak linked to drinking water.

A graphic of a faucet with a circle and x through it with the words "Notice, this water is unsafe to drink."
Drinking Water Advisory Communication Toolkit
Guide to help water systems communicate with partners and the public about water advisories.
A scientist bending over to collect a water sample from an outdoor body of water.
Waterborne Disease Outbreak Investigation Toolkit
The Toolkit can assist health departments conduct waterborne disease outbreak investigations

Resources for emergencies

Find more resources about safe water use during emergencies:

Illustration of a pot of water boiling for one minute and a bottle of bleach with 8 drops being added to 1 a gallon jug of water. Text on the graphic says, “Make water safe during an emergency. Use bottled water for drinking, cooking, brushing teeth. If you don’t have bottled water, boil you water for 1 minute. If you can’t boil, add 8 drops UNSCENTED household bleach to 1 gallon of water. Mix well. Wait at least 30 minutes before using. If you are using a portable water filter, choose on labeled to remove parasites.”
Communication Resources for Safe Water Use and Hygiene During Emergencies
Download, use, and share CDC materials about using water safely and avoiding germs during emergencies.
Print
Content Source:
National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID)