By Jeff Helsdon
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Residents of a part of Tillsonburg are still awaiting lifting of a boil water advisory.
On Wednesday, Southwestern Public Health issued a boil water advisory for an area in the Town of Tillsonburg, bounded by east of Broadway to Tillson Ave, and south of North Street East to Oxford Street after a routine test at the Tillsonburg Community Centre detected the presence of total coliform and E. Coli.
“Typically, a boil water advisory remains in effect for 48 hours,” said Mayor Deb Gilvesy. “The sampling and testing process requires a 24 hour incubation period, and the advisories are not lifted until two consecutive water samples are found to be clear.”
She assured the chlorination system is operational and all other testing points in Tillsonburg showed clear results.
“The County of Oxford is responsible for Tillsonburg’s water system and is working with Town of Tillsonburg maintenance staff to restore water quality in the area,” she said.
Gilvesy said residents have many questions following the issuance of the advisory, and asked a frequently asked questions document be prepared.
““We want people to be informed about their local water system, and understand what’s happening right now,” she said, noting the new document addresses how water testing is done, and outlines steps that have been taken to date in accordance with legislation and industry best practices.
The FAQ document is available by clicking this link.
The Acting Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Joyce Lock, 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. The 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.
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