Households in one area of Champlain Township are under a boil water advisory.

The Eastern Ontario Health Unit (EOHU) sent a Boil Water Advisory to the township municipal office to post on its website. The notice applies to households in part of the West Hawkesbury ward.

Residents living on Laval Place, Maple Street, Ascension Street, Cedres Street, Orchard Street, and part of Front Road are advised to use bottled water and avoid using their own tap water or else boil water taken from the tap for at least one or two minutes before using it for drinking.

EOHU received a water quality monitoring report October 23 indicating bacterial overgrowth in the water supply for the area. There is a risk that some micro-organisms may make the water unsafe to drink.

Until further notice all households on the streets listed in the West Hawkesbury ward of Champlain Township are under a Boil Water Advisory. Use bottled water if possible for drinking, making ice cubes or drink mixes, for preparing baby food or infant formula, for washing fruits and vegetables as part of food preparation, and for gargling, brushing teeth and dentures.

If bottled water is not a feasible option, boil tap water for at least one or two minutes before using for any of the above purposes.

The EOHU also recommends using bottled water for handwashing. Boil the water and then let it cool first before washing hands. If tap water is used, then first wash the hands with liquid soap and rinse them in a basin with tap water that has first been treated with a bleach solution.

Making a bleach solution involves putting one teaspoon of liquid household bleach in 4.5 litres of water. Mix well and let it stand for 15 minutes before using. Pour into a basin for use when handwashing. Keep the bleach solution in a container labelled “Chlorine Bleach Solution – Do Not Drink”.

Check the municipal website or contact the EOHU for updates on when the Boil Water Advisory is lifted.