Residents who live at Friday Harbour Resort in Innisfil, Ont., are under a boil-water advisory due to problems with the community’s water main.
The The organization in charge of public health in Simcoe Muskoka District issued a boil-water advisory after a recent water main break. The health unit says repairs are now completed, but the advisory is in effect until further notice while health officials confirm the water is safe through laboratory tests.
Health officials predict they will get the test results within the next day or two.
During the advisory, the health unit warns that drinking water directly from the tap is not safe at this time and can result in illness.
The elderly, young children, and people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk.
People are advised to boil their water before using it or, if they prefer, use bottled water or commercially-treated water from an approved source.
This advice also applies to pet drinking water.
Eating places, bars, and other food service, apart from places that sell pre-packaged food and have been approved by the health unit, are closed during the advisory.
To prepare water for use, the health unit suggests people boil water vigorously for at least one minute and then allow it to cool down before using it.
For washing dishes, health officials recommend using soap and water, rinsing them, and then sanitizing them in a separate sink with a capful of bleach mixed with a sink full of clear water.
Adults, teenagers, and older children can use unboiled water for baths and showers, but young children should be given sponge baths.
Health officials say it is safe to do laundry with the water.
People are advised to use an alcohol-based hand rub for hands that are not visibly dirty and to clean them with a disposable wet wipe, then use an alcohol-based hand rub if they are dirty.
If disposable hand wipes are not available, health officials say hands should be washed with water and soap, dried, and then followed with an alcohol-based hand rub.
The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit issued a boil-water advisory following a recent water main break.
