What Boil Water Advisory Means: Answers To Common Questions
Owen Sound residents have questions about the precautionary boil water advisory. Here are answers to common questions while officials investigate the issue.
A precautionary boil water advisory remains in effect for everyone using the City of Owen Sound’s municipal water system, including residents in Owen Sound and some nearby areas connected to the system.
The advisory was issued Saturday evening after elevated turbidity — or cloudiness in the water — was observed at the city’s water treatment plant. Turbidity can interfere with the disinfection process used during water treatment.
The city says the water continues to meet other quality and testing standards, but the advisory was issued as a precaution.
Related:
Owen Sound Current has contacted the City of Owen Sound and Grey Bruce Public Health with several follow-up questions, including about the cause of the turbidity, the severity of the issue, the latest water testing results, and what conditions must be met before the advisory can be lifted. We will update readers when more information becomes available.
In the meantime, many readers have questions about what the advisory means and what they should do. Below are answers to some of the most common questions based on information currently available.
What is a Boil Water Advisory?
A boil water advisory means residents should boil tap water before using it for drinking, brushing teeth, or food preparation.
Boiling water kills bacteria, viruses and other microorganisms that could potentially cause illness.
Even though this advisory is described as precautionary, officials say drinking unboiled tap water could potentially result in illness.
Who is Affected?
The advisory applies to:
All residents using the City of Owen Sound municipal water system
Parts of Meaford, including the Village of Leith
Parts of Georgian Bluffs connected to the Owen Sound system
Why Was the Advisory Issued?
The city says higher-than-normal turbidity levels were observed at the water treatment plant.
Turbidity refers to how cloudy water appears due to tiny suspended particles such as soil, silt, algae, organic material or microorganisms.
High turbidity can make it harder for disinfectants used in water treatment to work effectively.
Officials say the water continues to meet other quality and testing standards, but drinking unboiled tap water could potentially result in illness.
What Water Needs to be Boiled?
Water should be brought to a rolling boil for at least one minute before being used for:
Drinking
Preparing food or beverages
Making ice
Washing fruits and vegetables
Brushing teeth
After boiling, the water can be cooled and stored in clean containers.
Do I Need to Boil Water for Showering or Bathing?
No. The city says boiling water is not necessary for showering, bathing or laundry.
However, adults and older children should avoid swallowing water while showering or bathing.
Is It Safe To Bathe Infants Or Young Children?
Public health guidance suggests toddlers and infants should be sponge bathed during a boil water advisory.
Older children and adults can bathe or shower using tap water, but they should avoid swallowing the water.
Young children are more likely to accidentally ingest bath water, which is why sponge bathing is recommended while the advisory is in place.
Can I Use Tap Water To Make Baby Formula?
No.
Tap water should not be used directly to prepare infant formula during a boil water advisory.
Water should first be brought to a rolling boil for at least one minute and then cooled before mixing with formula.
If bottled water is used, check that it is safe for infant feeding.
Because infants are more vulnerable to illness, following the advisory carefully is particularly important when preparing formula.
What About Washing Dishes?
The city says boiling water is not necessary for washing dishes, but guidance in the notice also says household dishwashers may not adequately disinfect dishes.
Public health guidance says dishes washed by hand should be washed and rinsed in hot tap water, then soaked for one minute in a dilute bleach solution of 20 millilitres of household bleach in 10 litres of water, and air dried.
Owen Sound Current has asked officials to clarify whether household dishwashers are considered safe to use during the advisory.
Can I Wash Fruits And Vegetables With Tap Water?
No.
Fruits and vegetables that will be eaten raw should be washed using boiled and cooled water or bottled water during a boil water advisory.
Using untreated tap water could leave microorganisms on the food that may cause illness.
If boiling water is not practical, fruits and vegetables that can be peeled may be eaten, but it is safest to first rinse them using boiled and cooled water or bottled water before peeling. The outer surface of produce can carry microorganisms that could transfer to the edible portion during peeling.
Another safe option is to cook fruits or vegetables, as cooking will kill most microorganisms.
Should Residents Reduce Water Use?
Yes. The city is asking residents and businesses connected to the municipal system to temporarily reduce water use while the advisory is in place.
Officials say reducing water use will help support the actions being taken to address the issue.
The city has not yet provided details on exactly what steps residents should take, but reducing discretionary water use — such as outdoor watering or unnecessary laundry — may help.
Can I Use My Coffee Maker or Kettle?
Water for use in coffee makers should first be brought to a rolling boil for one minute.
Kettles can be used to boil water, but the water should reach a full rolling boil for at least one minute before it is used.
Can I Use Water From My Fridge Door or Water Filter?
No.
Water from refrigerator dispensers, water coolers, or household filtration systems should not be used unless it has been boiled first.
Most home filtration systems are not designed to remove microorganisms, and they do not make water safe during a boil water advisory.
What About Ice Makers?
Automatic ice makers connected to the municipal water supply should not be used during the advisory.
Ice made from unboiled tap water may contain microorganisms.
Residents should:
Discard existing ice
Turn off automatic ice makers
Use ice made from boiled or bottled water
Can I Give Tap Water to Pets?
As a precaution, residents may wish to give pets boiled and cooled water or bottled water during the advisory.
Animals can also become ill from contaminated water.
Can I Use Tap Water in Aquariums or Fish Tanks?
Guidance can vary depending on the type of aquarium and fish.
Aquarium owners should check with local public health officials or an aquarium specialist before making water changes during the advisory. Boiled water can affect water chemistry and may not be appropriate for fish or other aquatic life.
If possible, delaying non-urgent water changes until the advisory is lifted may be advisable.
How Long Will the Advisory Last?
The advisory will remain in place until testing confirms the water is safe to consume.
Municipal officials say residents will be notified when the advisory is lifted. We have requested clarification on the test results that resulted in the advisory, and what they need to see in order to lift it.
Edited to add:
Is it Safe to Drink Beverages at Restaurants or Cafés?
Restaurants and food businesses that use the municipal water system must follow the same boil water advisory requirements as residents.
That means water used for drinking, food preparation, or beverages must be boiled or come from a safe alternative source such as bottled water.
Ice used in drinks should also be made using boiled or bottled water, and ice made before the advisory should not be used.
Public health authorities typically provide guidance to restaurants during boil water advisories to ensure food and beverages are prepared safely.
If you have concerns, you can ask a restaurant whether boiled or bottled water is being used for drinks and food preparation during the advisory.
Official sources for water advisory updates:
Many electric kettles shut off when they come to a boil so the water can't be kept at a boil...probably better to use a stove-top kettle or a pot. Voice of experience. :-(