Boil water advisories are issued by the Medical Officer of Health when CK Public Health receives notification that the drinking water supply may have become contaminated with bacteria and may be unsafe to drink. Reasons might include a water main break, an adverse water sample, significant system pressure loss, evidence that water may not be properly treated, or flooding. Bringing water to a rolling boil for at least one minute will destroy bacteria that may be present to ensure the water is safe to drink.

The length of a boil water advisory can be difficult to predict, and it depends on the circumstances of the situation. During boil water advisories, CK Public Health works closely with water system operators to ensure the following:

• needed repairs are completed,
• the affected distribution system is properly flushed,
• the water is adequately treated,
• satisfactory water testing is completed, and
• consistent water pressures are maintained.

When the Medical Officer of Health is satisfied that these conditions have been met, the boil water advisory will be lifted. It is important to continue boiling your water until you receive notice that the boil water advisory has been lifted.

Water that has not been boiled must NOT be used for drinking, making infant formula, making juice, making ice, washing fruits and vegetables, or brushing teeth. For these purposes, boiled, treated, or safe bottled water must be used.

Remember to discard all ice made previously and disinfect the ice cube trays. Make ice using cooled water that was previously boiled.

To boil water, the best method is to boil tap water using a pot on the stove. Bring water to a rolling boil for at least one minute. If there are children in the home, place the pot on the back burner to avoid scalds. Boil only as much water in the pot as you can comfortably lift without spilling. Boiled water can then be cooled and stored in the refrigerator for drinking and food preparation.

Automatic shut-off kettles are not recommended to boil water for drinking during boil water advisories, as they may not boil the water for long enough to destroy bacteria.

Yes. Packaged bottled water from a safe supply can be used for consumption during a boil water advisory.

Alternatively, tap water can be treated by adding a small amount of regular unscented household liquid bleach (5.25% chlorine) to warm water. Follow these steps:

• Add 2 drops (0.18ml) of bleach to 4.5 litres of water.
• Shake or stir for thorough mixing.
• Let the mixture stand for at least 30 minutes before drinking.
• A slight chlorine odor should still be noticeable at the end of the 30-minute waiting period if you have added enough bleach.
• If you do not smell a slight chlorine odor, repeat the dosage and allow the water to stand an additional 15 minutes.
• If the water has too strong a chlorine taste, allow the water to stand exposed to the air for a few hours or pour it from one clean container to another several times.

Disinfection depends as much on the waiting time after mixing as the amount of bleach used. The longer the water is left to stand after adding bleach, the more effective the disinfection process will be.

No. Coffee makers do not reach a rolling boil for one minute. Use previously boiled water or safe bottled water in your coffee maker during a boil water advisory.

Yes, you can take showers and baths using water that has not been boiled, as long as you are careful not to drink the water. Young children should be supervised to ensure they do not drink the water.

Yes, you can use water that has not been boiled for handwashing. If hands are not visibly soiled, alcohol-based hand sanitizer can also be used.

Your household dishwasher can continue to be used to wash utensils as normal. If your dishwasher is equipped with a sanitizing cycle, it is recommended that you use it during a boil water advisory.

If you handwash dishes in the sink, you can continue to wash with soap and water as normal. There is no need to use boiled water to wash utensils.

If your dishwasher does not have a sanitizing cycle, or if you handwash your dishes, it is recommended that you sanitize washed dishes in a bleach and water solution using the following steps:

• Make a bleach/water solution in a separate sink compartment, using regular unscented household liquid bleach (5.25% chlorine).
• Add 2-4 mL of bleach per liter of warm water (or 1/2 teaspoon per liter).
• Immerse dishes in the solution for two minutes.
• Let dishes air dry prior to being used.

Washing and sanitizing dishes in the same sink compartment at the same time is not recommended because soap, grease and food particles interfere with the sanitizing process.

Yes, you can continue doing laundry the way you usually do using water that has not been boiled.

No, water filtration devices will not remove bacteria that may be present in the water. Filtered water must also be brought to a rolling boil for one minute before using it for drinking. Filter units should be backwashed, disinfected, or replaced after the boil water advisory has been lifted.

No, the water is not safe for use in wading pools or for water play because children may swallow it.

No. During a boil water advisory, pets should be provided with safe bottled water or water that has been boiled.

CK Public Health will ensure that the water system operator flushes the affected distribution system thoroughly before the boil water advisory is lifted.

If you have continued to run your faucets throughout the boil water advisory, there is no need to flush your taps after the advisory is lifted.

If potentially contaminated water may be sitting in your pipes due to non-use, then you should run your cold water faucets for five minutes before using the water.