Northern Health Expands Boil Water Advisory in Quesnel

Tuesday, April 28, 2009 04:17 PM

Quesnel, B.C. - Northern Health and the City of Quesnel have expanded a precautionary boil water advisory (BWA) to include all properties in South Quesnel receiving municipal water. The original advisory was the result of sampling on April 23 that showed an unacceptably high level of E. Coli in the water supply.

The expansion of the Boil water advisory is a further precautionary measure to account for the potential re-circulation of un-used water from the initial advisory area. Though it is likely the water entering the initial advisory area is used there and not re-circulated, the advisory boundary is being expanded as a precaution until further test results are available.

Until further notice, residents of properties in the advisory area should boil any water that will be used for human consumption (drinking, cooking, brushing teeth) for at least two minutes. Showering and bathing is fine as long as no water is swallowed.

Until water has been confirmed safe for drinking, residents should:

Obtain bottled water or water from another source that is known to be safe;
Boil water for at least two minutes; or
Disinfect water with unscented liquid chlorine bleach. Add eight drops of bleach to one gallon of clear water (if the water is cloudy, double the amount of bleach). Thoroughly mix and let stand for 30 minutes.

Northern Health also advises rigorous hand-washing for residents in the affected areas and as a general preventive health measure. Hand washing with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds will greatly reduce the risk of any illness that might occur following contact with contaminated water.

Northern Health conducted further testing on Monday April 27, and continues to test today. Initial results should be available Wednesday, April 29. At that time, the City and Northern Health will determine the next steps.

For more information on drinking water safety, go to: http://northernhealth.ca/Your_Health/Programs/Public_Health_Protection/DrinkingWaterSafety. More information on disinfecting your drinking water can be found at: http://northernhealth.ca/Disinfectingdrinkingwater.asp

Previous Story - Next Story