Boil Water Advisory-Hot Water Heaters-Bottled Water-Boiled Water

How to Use Water Safely During a Boil Water Advisory

Ottawa Public Health (OPH) has issued a precautionary Boil Water Advisory until further notice for the water users serviced by the Carp communal well water system.Water users in the affected area are asked to bring their water to a rolling boil for at least one minute before using it for all consumption purposes, including drinking, making juice, ice and infant formula, as well as for use in food preparation. After boiling, the water should be left to cool before being used, or it should be placed in clean containers to cool in the refrigerator. Boiled water should be used when brushing teeth. Boiled water should also be used to rinse dishes after washing. Other non-consumption uses, such as showering, are safe.This advisory is issued as a precaution and will be lifted once OPH can confirm that the results of sample analyses show the absence of bacteria in the water from the distribution system.If you are unable to boil water, you should consume only bottled water.How to use water safely during a boil water advisory:

• Boiled water should be used for drinking, making infant formula and juices, cooking, making ice, washing fruits and vegetables, and brushing teeth. The water should be brought to a rapid rolling boil and boiled for 1 minute. Discard all ice made previously and disinfect the ice cube trays. Make ice using boiled, cooled water.
• Adults and teens may shower with untreated water as long as no water is swallowed. Older children could also be given a shower with a hand held showerhead, avoiding the face. Younger children should be sponge-bathed instead of bathing in a tub because they are likely to swallow tub water.
• To disinfect hands, you can use alcohol-based hand disinfectants, containing more than 60% alcohol.
• Washing dishes: If washing by hand, you can use boiled water for washing dishes or boiled water for rinsing washed dishes, or use the disinfecting solution described below. If your dishwasher has a hot setting, it safely disinfects dishes. If your dishwasher does not have a hot setting, after finishing the cycle, soak dishes for 1 minute in a solution of 1oz (30 ml) of bleach mixed with 3 gallons of lukewarm water (13.5 litres). Let dishes air dry.
• Disinfecting after preparing/cooking with raw meat: Countertops, chopping boards or utensils which have come into contact with raw meat should be washed with soap and hot water first, then disinfected with a bleach solution stronger than that used for emergency hand disinfection. Mix 1/4 cup (about 60 ml) bleach in to 1 gallon (4.5 litres) water for this purpose. Do not reuse or store this solution, but make it fresh daily.
• Filtered water should also be brought to a rolling boil for 1 minute before drinking or using it for cooking.
• The water is not safe to use in wading pools. Water usually gets into the mouths of small children, providing a possibility for infection.

For more information on how to use water safely during a Boil Water Advisory, visit see the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care’s Fact Sheet When the boil water advisory is lifted, run cold water faucets for 1 minute before using the water. Run drinking fountains for 1 minute before using the water. Flush all garden hoses by running cold water through them for 1 minute. Run water softeners through a regeneration cycle. Drain and refill hot water heaters set below 45°C (normal setting is 60°C).Additional information is available at ottawa.ca, or by calling 3-1-1, or Ottawa Public Health at 613-580-6744.  You can also connect with Ottawa Public Health on Facebook and Twitter (@ottawahealth)
Source: http://www.ontla.on.ca/library/repository/mon/ont/h/2000/watersafety.htm read more..

source:ottawa.ca