London, ON. – The Medical Officer of Health has issued a Boil Water Advisory for the Village of Glencoe. A water main break that occurred Sunday evening led to a loss of pressure in the system, which may have allowed contaminated water to enter, rendering the municipal water supply unsafe to drink. While the broken water main serves most of the village, the Boil Water Advisory has been issued for the entire Glencoe community as a precaution. Therefore, the water in Glencoe cannot be used for drinking, food preparation or any human consumption until further notice. This Boil Water Advisory will remain in effect until the Middlesex-London Health Unit ensures the water supply is safe.
The Health Unit became aware of the situation early this morning after the system operator located the water main break.
"This boil water advisory is being issued as a precaution until we are sure the water in Glencoe is safe for consumption,” says Fatih Sekercioglu, Environmental Health Manager with the Middlesex-London Health Unit. “Issuing a boil water advisory is standard procedure when there has been a significant loss of pressure in a water system.”
Residents are advised to bring water to a rolling boil for one minute before using it for drinking or cooking. Unboiled water should not be used for drinking, making infant formula or juices, cooking, making ice, washing fruits and vegetables or brushing teeth. Boiled or bottled water should be used for these purposes, until further notice. Residents are also asked to discard any ice, drinks or other foods previously prepared with the unboiled water.
Adults and teens may shower with untreated water, as long as no water is swallowed. When bathing infants and young children, parents should make sure they do not swallow any water. Automatic ice cube machines and water dispensers from refrigerators should also not be used. Hot settings must be used if using a dishwasher; previously boiled water should be used if washing dishes by hand. It is safe to wash clothes in laundry machines.
The owners of the Southwest Middlesex water distribution system are working with staff from the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, the Ontario Clean Water Agency and the Health Unit to resolve the current issue. While pressure in the system is being restored, it is expected to take a few days before testing can be completed to ensure the water is once again safe. The media will be advised once the Boil Water Advisory for Glencoe has been lifted.
Further information about Boil Water Advisories is available on the Health Unit’s website at https://www.healthunit.com/boil-water-and-drinking-water-advisories.
Media Contact:
Dan Flaherty, Communications Manager, Middlesex-London Health Unit
519-663-5317 ext. 2469 or 519-617-0570 (cell.)
Spokespeople:
Fatih Sekercioglu, Environmental Health Manager, Safe Water, Rabies and Vector-Borne Disease Team, Middlesex-London Health Unit