Drinking Water Advisory Information

Current Drinking Water Advisory


This information is for the general public during a Drinking Water Advisory. If you have questions about water quality, please contact Public Works 306-728-6865.

 
A Drinking Water Advisory advises the public that they should boil their tap water for drinking and other domestic purposes. Once water services resume we are required to submit samples to the provincial lab, and can only remove a boil water advisory when samples pass regulatory requirements.


When is a Boil Water Notice Issued?

Water can become unsafe in a variety of ways, boil water notices are normally issued because the equipment and processes used to treat, store or distribute drinking water break down, require maintenance, or have been affected by environmental conditions. Most common reasons are broken water mains, planned system maintenance, power failures or equipment problems and mother nature.

In the event of a Drinking Water Advisory:

a) Boil all water, used for drinking purposes, for at least one (1) minute, at a rolling boil, prior to use;

b) Boil water to be used for other activities where it may be ingested, including: brushing teeth or soaking false teeth, washing fruits and vegetables, food or drink which will not be heated and ice cubes.

c) Not use the water for washing dishes, unless the water has been boiled or the dishes are sanitized in another fashion. Washed dishes and utensils can be soaked in a bleach solution (approximately 2 tablespoons of bleach per gallon or 10 ml of bleach per litre of water) for at least two minutes after being washed to kill any bacteria which may be present. NOTE: DO NOT MIX BLEACH WITH SOAPS OR DETERGENTS!

d) Ensure that younger children and infants are sponge bathed.

e) Consult with your physician if you have cuts or rashes that are severe before using the water.

Under most circumstances, there is no need to boil water used for other household purposes. Adults, adolescents and older children may shower, bathe or wash using tap water but should avoid swallowing the water. Laundry may be washed in tap water, either by hand or by machine.

 

What is the Process of Drinking Water Advisory Notices?

Once a drinking water advisory has been issued, our staff take a sample of the water and send it away to the Provincial Lab for bacteria testing to ensure the water is safe. The bacteria testing takes a minimum 24 hours. Once we receive the results and the test come back negative we are then able to remove the Drinking Water Advisory and notify the public.
 
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