Cooled boiled water should be used for balloon inflation, hanging water, or making up powdered feeds. It can also be used for flushes.

Preparation of cooled boiled water:

  • Empty kettle, fill with freshly run tap water and bring to the boil
  • Allow to cool, then decant water into a clean container e.g. a plastic jug or bottle with a lid which has been washed thoroughly or a new Amika Pump Set Bag Reservoir (Hydrobag) if the water is to be hung and given via a pump
  • Store in a refrigerator separated from raw foods at 5°C or below for a maximum of 24 hours
  • Allow to reach room temperature before administering through the enteral feeding tube if patient is sensitive to cold water.

For continuous administration, the water must be treated as a sterile enteral feed and discarded after 24 hours. Containers must not be topped up or re-used.

If you need further assistance with setting up the feed contact the 24hr Fresenius Kabi helpline 0808 1001990.

If you would like this information in another format, for example large print or easy read, or if you need help communicating with us, please contact:

First Community (Head Office)

Call: 01737 775450 Email:    fchc.enquiries@nhs.net    Text: 07814 639034

Address: First Community Health and Care, Consort House, 5-7 Queensway, Redhill, Surrey, RH1 1YB.

For office use only: Version 4 GU_TS003 Publication date: May 2026