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Boil water advisory in effect for Desbarats and area

Water must be brought to a rolling boil for at least one minute, Johnson Township advises
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Stock photo by Nithin PA from Pexels

Some residents east of the Sault are being told to boil their tap water.

Johnson Township said this afternoon it is now under a boil water advisory due to low water pressure.

The Feb. 21 advisory will remain in effect until further notice, the township, which includes the town of Desbarats, said in a news release.

The township offered the following guidance for those on the municipal water system while a boil water advisory is in effect:

Water must be brought to a rolling boil for at least one minute before use OR use an alternate water source (e.g. commercially bottled water) for any of the following examples:

  • Drinking,
  • brushing teeth,
  • making infant formula, ice, tea, coffee, drink mixes, puddings, jellos, etc.,
  • washing fruits or vegetables.

* Do not use auto-shutoff kettles or coffee makers because they may not reach a boil time of one minute*

How to wash dishes:

  • Household dishwashers to be run on sanitize mode.
  • If washing dishes by hand: - wash dishes with soap and hot water - rinse dishes with hot water - sanitize dishes by submerging in hot water mixed with unscented household bleach (1/2 tsp of bleach per 1 L of water). Allow to soak for 1 minute and let air dry.
  • Alternate: use single-use disposable dishes/utensils.

How to wash hands:

  • Wash as normal using tap water and a proper handwashing technique.
  • After washing hands, use an alcohol-based hand gel disinfectant containing at least 70% alcohol.

How to bathe:

  • Adults, adolescents, and older children may shower, bathe, or wash using tap water, but should avoid swallowing the water.
  • Infants, toddlers and immunocompromised individuals should be sponge bathed in order to reduce the chance of them swallowing the water.

For more information, contact Algoma Public Health at 705-759-5286



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