Boil water advisory issued for Tsiigehtchic, N.W.T.

CBC

20 hours ago

Social Sharing
Residents in Tsiigehtchic, N.W.T., are being advised to boil their tap water for at least one minute before using.
In a public health advisory Thursday afternoon, the office of the chief public health officer says there is higher than normal turbidity, or muddiness, in the water and the advisory is just a precaution.
The advisory says there have been no reported illnesses associated with drinking the water in the community.
Officials say residents should boil any water being used for drinking, preparing food, hot and cold beverages, ice cubes, washing produce, brushing teeth or other dental hygiene, and for infant formulas.
Bathing, showering and washing hands with tap water is OK but residents should avoid swallowing the water.
Tsiigehtchic residents could also use bottled water or water that's been distilled or treated by reverse osmosis but filters like Brita, which use activated carbon filters, are not considered safe to treat water during the advisory period. Residents should also avoid drinking from public fountains.
A notice from the hamlet, posted to the community's Facebook page, says there's an issue with the water treatment plant and that water will be trucked in from Fort McPherson, about 60 kilometres away, starting Friday.
The hamlet wrote that five truckloads are required to service the community and although water delivery schedules will remain the same, residents are asked to try and conserve.
The territory's chief environmental health officer, in collaboration with the community government, will continue to monitor the situation and will provide formal notice to lift the boil water advisory. The hamlet said it would update the community when plant maintenance is complete.