UPDATE 01/29/15 3:30PM: Two consecutive sets of results 24 hours apart have come back negative for bacteria. The Boil Water Advisory has been rescinded.
At this point in time, all the water parameters are normal, which indicates the drinking water is currently at its usual high standard of quality.
UPDATE 01/28/15 3:30PM: Water tests today are negative for bacteria. However, the precautionary boil water advisory will remain in place pending the test results of another resample.
The city has issued a precautionary boil water advisory for the entire City of Winnipeg. The advisory will continue until at least Wednesday afternoon.
The precautionary advisory was issued because test results from Monday, January 26, 2015, tested positive for the presence of bacteria in water samples. Six samples of the city water system tested positive for coli-form and some for e-coli.
Boil Water Advisory Fact Sheets:
- What to do when you are advised to boil your water
- How to operate commercial/public facility under a boil water advisory
Preparing food and beverages
Use boiled water or bottled water to:
- drink
- wash all fruits and vegetables,
- prepare drinks (e.g., coffee, tea, juices)
- wash food preparation surfaces
Preparing baby formula
- Prepare baby formula from powder or concentrate with boiled or bottled water, or use ready-to-use baby formula.
- Wash and sterilize bottles and nipples before use.
- If you cannot sterilize bottles, try to use single-serve, ready-to-feed bottles.
Ice
- Do not use ice made with tap water from ice trays, ice dispensers, or ice makers.
- Use ice made with boiled or bottled water.
To boil water
- Fill a pot with water from the cold water tap.
- Heat the water until bubbles come from the bottom of the pot to the top.
- Once the water reaches a rolling boil, let it boil for one minute.
- Turn off the heat source and let the water cool.
- Pour the water into a clean container with a cover for storage.
Note: Kettles with an automatic shutoff feature may not boil the water for one full minute.
Take care to avoid burn injuries from hot water:
- Keep young children away from boiling water.
- Place kettles and pots away from counter and stove edges when in use.
Water filters
Most kitchen and other household water filters typically do not remove bacteria or viruses. Boil tap water even if it is filtered.
Washing hands
You can use tap water for washing hands. Follow normal precautions:
- rub all parts of the hand with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
Brushing teeth
- Use boiled water that has cooled or bottled water to brush teeth or to clean dentures and other dental appliances (e.g, retainers).
Bathing and showering
- Adults and older children that are able to avoid swallowing the water can wash, bathe, or shower using tap water.
- Young children should be sponge bathed, using water that has been boiled and cooled to a safe temperature. If boiling is not feasible, an alternate and safe supply of water should be used (e.g., bottled water).
Other household purposes
It is not necessary to boil tap water for other household purposes (e.g., laundry, washing dishes, flushing toilets).
Pets
It is a good idea to give them boiled water that has been cooled or bottled water.
