Several regions in Amersfoort and its surroundings are under a “boil-water advisory”, after enterococci bacteria were found at a drinking water production site.
According to water provider Vitens, the bacteria were first discovered during an inspection of one of their storage cellars on January 12.
Areas supplied by the contaminated water include parts of Amersfoort, Achterveld, Bunschoten-Spakenburg, Hoogland, Hooglanderveen, Leusden, Soest, Soesterberg, Stoutenburg, and Stoutenburg-Noord.
While the storage cellar has now been taken out of service, Vitens is hesitant to lift the boil-water advisory until the supplied area is clear of bacteria.
Boil your water for three minutes, says experts
As of January 15, the provider is “working hard to identify the source of the contamination and eliminate it”. In the meantime, a boil-water advisory applies.
But what exactly is a boil-water advisory? And what does it mean for you?
This warning is pretty much exactly what it says on the tin: your drinking water is contaminated, so you’re advised to boil it before use.
On their website, Vitens advises boiling your water for three minutes before drinking it, preparing food or drinks with it (such as tea or coffee), and brushing your teeth.
READ MORE | Can I drink tap water in Amsterdam?
However, if you’re showering or washing your hands, you can still use regular tap water.
Is my water affected?
If you’re living in or near Amersfoort, there’s a high likelihood that you’re in one of the postcodes affected.
At present, the warning applies to the following postcodes: 3768 MP, 3812 EV, 3812 NL, 3812 NM, 3812 PK, 3812 PL, 3812 PM, 3812 PN, 3812 PR, 3812 PS, 3812 PT, 3812 PV, 3812 PW, 3812 PX, 3812 PZ, 3812 RB, 3812 RC, 3812 RD, 3812 RE, 3812 RG, 3812 RH, 3812 RJ, 3812 RK, 3812 RL, 3812 RM, 3812 RP, 3812 RR, 3812 RT, 3812 RV, 3812 RW, 3812 RZ, 3812 SV, 3812 SW, 3812 SX, 3812 SZ, 3813 TE, 3813 TW, 3813 TZ, and 3828 AP.
Living in the Isselt district, instead? You’re in luck, because the boil-water advisory doesn’t apply to your area.
Other Amersfoort residents can expect an update on the advisory by January 20, as Vitens continues testing the drinking water supply.
Helaas, this isn’t the first time Vitens has had a run-in with enterococci bacteria. The last contamination affected around 125,000 homes across Utrecht in November 2025.
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