Drinking Water Advisories
The Timiskaming Health Unit (THU) works with municipalities and other water service providers to monitor public water systems. The THU issues advisories when water from a drinking water supply is deemed unsafe to drink. Drinking water advisories include:
Boil Water Advisory
A precautionary boil water advisory may be issued when water is unsafe for humans to drink unless it is boiled. The contaminated water can only be consumed after it has been boiled for at least 1 minute.
Reasons for a boil water advisory include:
- Contaminants like bacteria, viruses, or parasites are present in the water.
- A water main has broken, or there has been severe flooding.
- Disinfectant levels in the water are too low to treat possible sources of contamination.
- An outbreak of illness in the community is linked to water.
How to use your water safely (PDF)
During a Boil Water Advisory water should NOT be used directly from the tap for drinking, preparing food, washing fruits / vegetables, making ice, brushing teeth, or making infant formula. Boiled water or bottled water should be used.
The water should be brought to a rapid rolling boil and boiled for 1 minute. Let the water cool before use, if you are not using the water after it has cooled then refrigerate the water in a clean and sanitary container with a lid.
BOIL your water to a rolling boil for at least ONE MINUTE or you may also use bottled water to:
- Drink
- Gargle, brush your teeth or rinse dentures.
- Wash fruits, vegetables and other food.
- Mmake ice, juices, puddings, or other mixes.
- Make baby food or formula (bottled water or alternate potable supply only).
Bathing and Washing
- Adults, teens, and older children can use tap water for baths and showers,
- Small children can be given sponge-baths instead of tub baths or showers.
- Do not swallow any tap water used for showers and baths.
Dishwashing
Dishwashers: Use a dishwasher with a high heat setting or sanitize cycle.
Manual dishwashing: Wash in hot soapy water, rinse, sanitize and allow dishes to air dry as usual. (To sanitize, mix 1 tsp. of bleach to 1 litre of water, let dishes soak in the solution for one minute).
If you have any questions regarding an advisory, please contact the Timiskaming Health Unit at 705-647-4305.
When is the boil water advisory over?
A boil water advisory stays in effect until the water is safe. This occurs after corrective action and water sampling is completed. When the water is deemed safe, an updated notice will be issued.
What to do after a boil water advisory has been lifted:
- Run cold water faucets for 10 minutes before using the water.
- Run drinking fountains for 10 minutes before using the water.
- Run water softeners through a regeneration cycle.
- Drain and refill hot water heaters set below 45 degrees Celsius (a normal setting is 60 degrees Celsius).
Drinking Water Advisory
A drinking water advisory indicates the public’s water is unsafe to use. The water cannot be used for drinking or consuming, even if it is boiled, as the water may be contaminated. The type of contamination will determine the other uses of water during a Drinking Water Advisory.
Reasons for a drinking water advisory may include:
- The Ontario Drinking Water Standards are not met.
- There has been a chemical spill or potential contamination.
- Conditions exist that render the water unsafe for use.
Find an alternative source of safe drinking water, such as bottled water. The water should not be used for drinking, cooking, making juice, and infant formula, making ice, washing uncooked fruit and vegetables, or brushing teeth until further notice. Use water from an alternate source for these purposes.
Bathing and Washing
- The instructions for using the water for bathing and washing will depend on the type of issue with the water source. Normally adults and teens may shower with untreated water if 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 bathed in a tub because they may swallow tub water.
Dishwashing
You should not wash your dishes with the water from your home until after the drinking water advisory has been lifted. If possible, use disposable dishware and utensils, or use water from an alternate source.
What to do after a water advisory has been lifted:
- Run each of your cold water taps for at least 5 minutes or until the water runs clear.
- Public facilities (such as hospitals and schools) may need to run cold water taps for a longer time before using the water to ensure all pipes have been flushed.
- To remove any collected sediment in the water lines, screens should be removed, rinsed, and replaced.
Current Water Advisories
Municipal Systems:
Location
|
Type
|
Area Involved
|
Date Issued
|
Date Rescinded
|
Englehart |
Boil Water Advisory |
Georgia Pacific |
November 27, 2024 |
November 29, 2024 |
Virginiatown |
Boil Water Advisory |
A section of Connell Ave. and Colville St. |
November 11, 2024 |
November 22, 2024 |
Virginiatown |
Boil Water Advisory |
Connell Ave. between Webster and Cockeram St. including Munroe St. |
October 24, 2024 |
October 28, 2024 |
New Liskeard |
Boil Water Advisory |
Whitewood Ave (between Wellington St. and Armstrong St.) and Wellington Street (between Cedar Ave. and Whitewood Ave.) |
October 21, 2024 |
October 25, 2024 |
McGarry Twp. |
Boil Water Advisory |
Colville St. (North of Connell Ave.) |
October 16, 2024 |
October 21, 2024 |
Virginiatown |
Boil Water Advisory |
East side of Cockeram St., East side of Waite Ave. and Kerr Cres. |
October 8, 2024 |
October 12, 2024 |
New Liskeard |
Boil Water Advisory |
Whitewood Ave. (Rona to John St.) |
October 10, 2024 |
October 15, 2024 |
Virginiatown |
Boil Water Advisory |
East side of 24th St. (North of 27th Ave.) |
September 26, 2024 |
September 28, 2024 |
Virginiatown |
Boil Water Advisory |
Cockeram St. |
September 23, 2024 |
September 26, 2024 |
Virginiatown |
Boil Water Advisory |
Waite Ave., Kerr Cres., Hilltop Cres.) |
September 20, 2024 |
September 26, 2024 |
New Liskeard |
Boil Water Advisory |
Grant Dr. (affecting Walmart and Canadian Tire) |
September 11, 2024 |
September 19, 2024 |
Dymond |
Boil Water Advisory |
Crystal Cres., Laurette, Driftwood, and Rondeau Rd. |
September 4, 2024 |
September 6, 2024 |
Temiskaming Shores |
Boil Water Advisory |
Niven St./Dymond (end of line) New Liskeard Public School |
August 30, 2024 |
September 2, 2024 |
Temiskaming Shores |
Boil Water Advisory |
Pine Street West (between Lane St. and Kennedy St. in New Liskeard) |
August 28, 2024 |
September 2, 2024 |
Temiskaming Shores |
Boil Water Advisory |
Lakeshore Rd. (bottom of Radley Hill) |
August 6, 2024 |
August 12, 2024 |
Temiskaming Shores |
Boil Water Advisory |
Grills St. (Smith to Regina) and Regina Ave. (Whitewood to Sutcliffe) |
August 1, 2024 |
August 6, 2024 |
Temiskaming Shores |
Boil Water Advisory |
Hwy 11 and Brazeau Blvd. (between Hawn Fr. to Rockley Rd). |
July 18, 2024 |
July 26, 2024 |
Temiskaming Shores |
Boil Water Advisory |
Farah Ave. (20 homes) Top of Farah Ave. to Regina St. |
July 17, 2024 |
July 23, 2024 |
Temiskaming Shores |
Boil Water Advisory |
Helmer Pederson Dr. |
July 4, 2024 |
July 8, 2024 |
Evantural |
Boil Water Advisory |
First St. |
May 14, 2024 |
May 17, 2024 |
Temiskaming Shores |
Boil Water Advisory |
Pine St. W. from Beavis Terrace to Heard St. from Pine W. to Haliburton. |
May 14, 2024 |
May 21, 2024 |
Temiskaming Shores |
Boil Water Advisory |
200 Riverside Dr. |
April 24, 2024 |
April 29, 2024 |
Larder Lake |
Boil Water Advisory |
6th Ave. (Commissioner - Godfrey) |
April 23, 2024 |
May 1, 2024 |
Haileybury |
Boil Water Advisory |
Joyal Dr. |
April 18, 2024 |
April 22, 2024 |
Cobalt |
Boil Water Advisory |
Miller Ave. section |
April 17, 2024 |
April22, 2024 |
North Cobalt |
Boil Water Advisory |
Cross Lake Rd, Queen St. and Silver St. |
April 16, 2024 |
April 19, 2024 |
McGarry Township |
Boil Water Advisory |
27th St. (16 homes) |
April 9, 2024 |
April 11, 2024 |
Virginiatown |
Boil Water Advisory |
Casselman St. (11 homes) and one (1) home on Kearns Ave. |
March 29, 2024 |
March 31, 2024 |
Virginiatown |
Boil Water Advisory |
8th Street |
March 6, 2024 |
March 9, 2024 |
Evantural Township |
Boil Water Advisory |
Browns Road |
March 6, 2024 |
April 2, 2024 |
New Liskeard |
Boil Water Advisory |
Armstrong St. S. (3 businesses) |
February 7, 2024 |
February 12, 2024 |
New Liskeard |
Boil Water Advisory |
246 - 264 Robin St. |
January 8, 2024 |
January 11, 2024 |
(Updated November 29, 2024)
Small Drinking Water Systems and Designated Facilities:
Location
|
Type
|
Area Involved
|
Date Issued
|
Date Rescinded
|
Finlayson Park |
Boil Water Advisory |
Park |
August 19, 2024 |
August 22, 2024 |
Gow-Bush-Kon Lodge, Gowganda |
Boil Water Advisory |
Lodge |
July 31, 2024 |
July 31, 2024 |
Finlayson Point Provincial Park |
Boil Water Advisory |
Park |
June 26, 2024 |
June 29, 2024 |
(Updated September 11, 2024 )
Archives: 2023
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