Boil Water Advisories
A Boil Water Advisory (BWA) is a public notice that is issued by a Medical Officer of Health (MOH) when authorities suspect or have confirmed the presence of harmful bacteria or other organism in a drinking water supply. These notices are to inform the public and protect them from unsafe drinking water. A BWA can also be issued for other issues such as loss of disinfection, loss of pressure or illness linked to a water system.
Although the Medical Officer of Health issues BWAs, it is the owner of the drinking water system who communicates updates to those using the water system.
The following BWAs have been issued by local drinking water systems:
Establishment | Type | Area Impacted | Date Issued | Date Lifted |
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Shakespeare Water System | Municipal | Shakespeare | April 5, 2023 | April 9, 2023 |
Please note that testing a drinking water system can only give information about that specific drinking water system. This means that testing results from one drinking water system cannot provide any information on surrounding water systems, such as private wells. Private well owners are reminded to test their water regularly. Visit Well Water Testing for more information.
What to do during a Boil Water Advisory
Drinking, food or formula preparation, washing dishes |
Boil your water at a rolling boil for at least 1 (ONE) MINUTE and allow it to cool before using it to:
You may also use bottled water or commercially treated water from an approved source. Please note that a Brita filter is never an acceptable alternative to boiling water during a boil water advisory. Activated carbon filters (like a Brita filter) are not designed to remove microbiological contaminants that may be present in the water during a boil water advisory. If you have a water filtration or purification system installed, consult with a water treatment specialist regarding the need to replace filters once a boil water advisory has been lifted. Also, keep in mind that many electric kettles do not allow water to boil for one full minute. It is recommended to boil your water on a stove top or similar appliance. |
Steps to disinfect a container for storing potable water |
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Bathing and showering |
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Handwashing |
Hand hygiene is an important measure to help prevent the spread of germs and should be performed during a boil water advisory.
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Laundry |
It is safe to do laundry with the water. |
Care if you are sick |
Illness can occur when someone drinks contaminated water. Signs and symptoms include severe stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
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