An emergency boil water advisory has been issued for the Town of Burstall.

Dr. David Torr, Consulting Medical Health Officer with the Cypress Health Region, activated the warning this afternoon.

The advisory comes after the Cypress Health Region was informed a sample from the town's water supply has tested positive for E.coli

The Cypress Health Region asks residents who access Burstall’s public water supply to discontinue the use of this water unless it is boiled for at least one minute.

More extensive directions from the Cypress Health Region include:

  • boil all water, used for drinking purposes, for at least one (1) minute, at a rolling boil, prior to use;
  • boil water to be used for other activities where it may be ingested, including: brushing teeth or soaking false teeth, washing fruits and vegetables, food or drink which will not be subsequently heated, and ice cubes;
  • not drink from any public drinking fountains supplied with water from the public water supply;
  • under most circumstances, there is not a need to boil water used for other household purposes. Adults, adolescents, and older children may shower, bathe, or wash using tap water but should avoid swallowing the water.
  • ensure that younger children and infants are sponge bathed;
  • use an alternative water source known to be safe, if they do not wish to boil the water; and
  • consult with your physician if you experience any vomiting, diarrhea, or other enteric type symptoms. Also if you have cuts or rashes that are severe before using the water.

In addition to the measures above, the health region says all dishes and utensils will need to be soaked in a bleach water solution (approximately 2 tbsp. of bleach per gallon or 10 ml of bleach per liter of water) for at least two minutes after being washed to kill any bacteria which may be present.

This emergency boil water advisory remains in effect until Dr. Torr and the Cypress Health Region are provided with evidence that the E.coli is no longer a factor.