The advisory applies only to households that draw drinking water directly from the lake through a private system. Local reporting on the county's advisory has been explicit that boiling does not make the water safe for drinking or cooking. Anyone who develops symptoms after drinking Lake Samish water should seek medical care and mention the exposure. The confirmed fact is an elevated microcystin sample from the east shore prompting a drinking water advisory for private lake intakes. Only households drawing drinking water directly from Lake Samish through a private system.