by Harry Sullivan, originally posted on December 22, 2016

Consumers in Truro and areas of Bible Hill and Salmon River that receive water from the town are advised to boil all water for at least one minute before drinking, preparing infant formulas, preparing juices and ice cubes, washing fruits and vegetables, cooking, dental hygiene or any other activity requiring human consumption.

The order is in effect until further notice but a town official said because two consecutive clear tests are required before the advisory can be lifted, the earliest it could be lifted is Saturday.

In addition to residential issues, the order also has an immediate impact on local restaurants serviced by town water.

Elaine Jack, manager of the Willow Street Tim Horton’s, said arrangements are being made to have fresh water trucked in but until that happens, no coffee or other beverages made on site can be served.

A news release from the town said the Truro water utility is doing all it can to determine the cause of the problem and to remedy it as quickly as possible. The Truro water utility, Nova Scotia Environment and Labour and the Medical Officer of Health are continuing to monitor the water quality closely and are working in close consultation to find the cause of the problem.

Detailed instructions on water usage when a boil-water advisory is in effect are available from the water utility or the local office of Nova Scotia Environment.

FACT SHEET

Instructions for Using Water in the Home During a Boil Water Advisory

During an advisory, it is essential that all water to be used for the following activities be boiled:

– drinking;

– preparing infant formulas;

– preparing juices and ice cubes;

– washing fruits and vegetables;

– cooking; or

– dental hygiene.

Holding water at a rolling boil for at least 1 minute will inactivate all waterborne pathogenic micro-organisms. Water can be boiled either in a pot or kettle on a stove, an electric kettle without an automatic shut-off or in a microwave oven. If water is boiled in a microwave, it is advisable to include a glass rod or wooden or plastic stir stick in the container to provide nucleation sites for bubble formation and energy diffusion. This will prevent the formation of superheated water.

Under most circumstances it is not necessary to boil water used for other household purposes. Adults, adolescents and older children may shower, bathe or wash using tap water but should avoid swallowing the water. Toddlers and infants should be sponge bathed. In non-outbreak situations, dishes and laundry may be washed in tap water, either by hand or by machine.

In the event of a waterborne outbreak as declared by the MOH, it may be necessary to take additional precautions. In this situation, hands should be washed in a dilute solution of household bleach and water (1 mL or 20 drops per litre of water). This is particularly important before preparing or eating meals, and after using the toilet, changing diapers, and handling animals. The solution should be allowed to stand 10 minutes before use. If dishes are hand washed they should be washed and rinsed in hot tap water, soaked in a dilute solution of household bleach (20 mL of bleach in 10 litres of water) for one minute and air dried. Alternatively, dishwashers with a hot water cycle will disinfect dishes.

Additional instructions for businesses, institutions, manufacturing plants or health care facilities that may have special requirements when a boil water advisory is in effect are included in the Guidelines for Monitoring Public Drinking Water Supplies. The guidelines are available ONLINE HERE or contact the local Department of Environment