Emergencies occur without warning. If you know severe weather is heading your way plan in advance to have a safe drinking water ready for your family. In an emergency, we recommend you have enough drinking water for at least 72 hours, two litres per person per day.
What happens to my water during a power outage?
What is a boil water advisory?
What should I do during a boil water advisory?
How do I know if a boil water advisory has been issued?
What happens to my water during a power outage?
During a power outage, the water supplied to your home by your local water utility may no longer be safe to drink without additional treatment. If there’s a water safety problem, a boil water advisory will be issued. If a boil water advisory is issued, don’t drink the water.
What is a boil water advisory?
A boil water advisory is issued so residents know to only drink tap water if it’s boiled for at least one minute. This advisory is made to protect the health of people affected in the local area.
What should I do during a boil water advisory?
When a boil water advisory is issued, you can:
- Use commercially bottled water.
- Bring the tap water to a rolling boil for at least one minute (water should be bubbling). Cool and store all boiled water in a clean, covered container.
Reminder: Use treated water when you’re:
- Drinking or preparing drinks,
- Making food and cooking (includes washing vegetables and fruit).
- Brushing your teeth.
- Making baby food or drink.
- Washing dishes.
- Washing your hands.
Note: Adults may use an untreated water supply to bath or shower, as long as the water is not swallowed. Young children, immunocompromised people, or people with skin lesions or open wounds should take sponge baths with boiled water.
How do I know if a boil water advisory has been issued?
Your local water utility company and the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit will communicate the boil water advisory through the local media. You can contact us at 519-258-2146 ext. 4475 for more information.