Poisonous snakes and alligators are swimming in the city's waters
Mosquitoes are breeding, increasing danger for West Nile.
A water boil is in effect throughout. Human waste from overflowed treatment centers could mix with the water.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers some safety rules for drinking water, cooking and personal cleanliness:

* Do not use contaminated water to wash dishes, brush teeth, wash and prepare food, wash hands, make ice, or make baby formula. If possible, use baby formula that does not need to have water added.
* If clean water is not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer to wash hands.
* Use only bottled, boiled, or treated water. Boiling water for FIVE minute will kill most organisms. If using bottled water, make sure it is uncontaminated. Water should be treated or boiled before use.
* If boiling is not possible, water can be treated with chlorine or iodine tablets or unscented household bleach. If using household chlorine bleach, add 1/8 teaspoon of bleach per gallon of water if the water is clear. For cloudy water, add 1/4 teaspoon of bleach per gallon. Mix the solution thoroughly and let it stand for about 30 minutes before using it. However, treating water with chlorine or iodine tablets or bleach will not kill parasitic organisms and should only be used to clean items.
* Pregnant women and infants younger than six months should not drink boiled water. Boiling may concentrate potentially harmful nitrates in the water.