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Local public health officials have ended a Southwestern Ontario town’s boil-water advisory just in time for Christmas, two days after it was put in place after a water main break.
Southwestern Public Health, which covers Oxford and Elgin counties, has lifted the warning for some Aylmer residents, officials said on Tuesday. The acting top medical officer of health, Dr. Joyce Lock, said in a statement the advisory was issued as a “precaution” due to the infrastructure break.
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“Those who were impacted were contacted directly by the town,” Lock’s statement read. “Public health lifts a boil-water advisory when there are satisfactory water samples reported over two consecutive days. We received the second results (Tuesday) morning and lifted the advisory at 11 a.m. on Dec. 24.”
Town officials announced the water-main break on Dec. 21. It happened at the intersection of Parkview Heights and Chestnut Street West – north of Aylmer’s main strip – and it occurred the previous night.
So early Sunday, public-health officials issued a water warning on social media. Southwestern Public Health issues a boil water advisory when it suspects or confirms harmful bacteria are present in the drinking water and it’s unsafe for drinking or other uses, according to the organization’s website.
Residents on most streets to the north of Talbot Street, west to Pierce Avenue and east to Victoria Street North were under the advisory. Officials announced repairs were done by Sunday afternoon but water concerns lingered.
WHAT SHOULD RESIDENTS DO NOW?
The water is now considered safe, officials said Tuesday, but issued the following directions:
• Run cold water faucets for one minute before using the water.
• Run drinking fountains for one minute before using the water.
• Run water softeners through a regeneration cycle.
• Drain and refill hot water heaters set below 45 C (normal setting is 60 C).
bwilliams@postmedia.com
@BrianWatLFPress
The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada
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