Boil water advisory issued

By Jeff Helsdon, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Southwestern Public Health has issued a boil water advisory for an area in the Town of Tillsonburg, bounded by east of Broadway to Tillson Ave, south of North Street East to Oxford Street.

The advisory was issued as a result of water sample results that indicated the presence of bacteria. While resampling is scheduled, the advisory is issued as a precaution.

The Acting Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Joyce Lock, has advised users of the Town of Tillsonburg Municipal Drinking Water in the areas above to bring water to a rolling boil for at least one minute prior to using it for domestic purposes, such as drinking, making infant formula and juice, brushing teeth, washing raw foods, and making ice.

Water samples are collected in geographic boundaries. This advisory is specific to users within the identified area. We will update this notice when the boil water advisory ends. 

Boil water advisories for communities are issued more widely when there is a concern for wider-reaching impact, such as when businesses or institutions are affected, or there is an increased risk to public health.

When a boil water advisory is issued due to an advisory, there is no need for additional measures when washing hands. Showers and baths are safe for adults and teens as long as no water is swallowed. Older children can be given a shower with a hand-held showerhead, avoiding the face while younger children should be sponge-bathed to ensure no water is swallowed. While it is safe to use the dishwasher on the hot setting, boiled water should be used in dishes washed by hand. 

Ontario Drinking Water Quality Standards state that a boil water advisory shouldn’t be lifted until two consecutive tests are taken that do not show contamination.