Important Public Notice - Boil Water Advisory November 2023

IMPORTANT PUBLIC NOTICE: BOIL WATER ADVISORY

The Town of Shelburne is advising affected residents and businesses to boil their tap water before drinking due to a water main break on Monday November 20, 2023. This notice only applies to residents in the catchment area (see map below).

You must bring the water to a rolling boil for at least one minute (60 seconds) before drinking it. Let the water cool down before using or drinking. Boiling the water will kill the harmful microorganisms in the water.

Until further notice, use boiled water or an alternate source of safe drinking water (such as bottled water) for:

• drinking
• making ice cubes, juices or other mixes
• preparing baby food or infant formula
• preparing food, including washing fruits and vegetables
• gargling or brushing teeth or dentures

Hand Washing

• Wash hands with bottled water or boiled then cooled water.
• If using non-boiled tap water, wash hands with liquid soap and dry thoroughly. Then rinse/sanitize using one of two solutions:

• Alcohol-based hand disinfectant containing more than 70% alcohol, or
• Mild bleach solution (see below for instructions).

Bathing

• Toddlers and young children should not take baths or showers as they are likely to ingest water. Give sponge baths instead.
• Adults, teens and older children can safely take showers.

Washing and Cleaning

• Dishes, cutting boards and countertops can be washed with soap and water and then disinfected with a strong bleach solution (see below for instructions).
• Laundry can be done as usual.

Instructions To Make Bleach Solution

Mild Bleach Solution (use after washing hands with non-boiled tap water)

• Place 1 tsp of liquid household bleach in 4.5 L of water.
• Mix and let stand for at least 15 minutes before using.
• The mixture can be transferred to smaller clean containers for use.
• Label the containers as follows: “MILD BLEACH SOLUTION – DO NOT DRINK.”

Strong Bleach Solution (use to disinfect dishes, cutting boards and countertops)

• Place 1 tsp of liquid household bleach in 3 cups of water.
• Mix and let stand for at least 15 minutes before using.
• The mixture can be transferred to smaller clean containers for use.
• Label the containers as follows: “STRONG BLEACH SOLUTION – DO NOT DRINK.”

Do not drink bleach solution.
Do not store bleach solution in empty water bottles.
Keep out of reach of children.

For more information, please contact the Town of Shelburne 

519-925-2600 ext. 231 or water@shelburne.ca