Drinking water advisories 

A boil water advisory is issued when an accidental situation could affect water quality or, much more rarely, when bacteria are present in the water. 

Duration
Generally 48 to 72 hours, the time needed to conduct water analyses.  

Information
A notice is placed on your door: 

• At the beginning of the boil water advisory 
• At the end of the advisory. 

What to do

At home
Boil tap water at a rolling boil for at least 1 minute before consuming it, even if you have a home water treatment system.  

Use boiled or bottled water for : 

• Drinking or making beverages 
• Preparing baby formula and baby food 
• Washing and preparing raw foods 
• Preparing foods that do not require prolonged cooking (discard any food prepared with tap water on the day of the advisory) 
• Making ice cubes (discard those made on the day of the advisory) 
• Brushing your teeth and rinsing your mouth 
• Giving water to pets 

You can use tap water without boiling it first for : 

• Cooking food in boiling water 
• Running the dishwasher with hot water and the drying cycle 
• Washing clothes 
• Taking a shower or bath (avoid swallowing water and wash young children with a washcloth) 

Schools, Businesses, Shops, and Institutions 

• Turn off all water fountains. 
• Post a notice near all faucets. 

What to Do Once the Advisory is Lifted  

If the water is discolored, let the cold water run until it becomes clear. You can then use the water as usual. 

A do not consume water advisory is issued when tap water may be contaminated by a chemical product hazardous to health. This is very rare. 

Duration
Until the situation is resolved.  

Information 
A notice is placed on your door: 

• At the beginning of the do not consume water advisory 
• At the end of the advisory 

What to do

At home
Do not drink tap water, even if boiled, and even if you have a home water treatment system. 

Use bottled water or water from another safe source for : 

• Drinking or making beverages 
• Preparing baby formula and baby food 
• Washing and preparing foods (discard any food prepared with tap water on the day of the advisory) 
• Making ice cubes (discard those made on the day of the advisory) 
• Brushing your teeth and rinsing your mouth 
• Giving water to pets 

You can use tap water for : 

• Washing your hands (dry them well) 
• Washing dishes (dry them well) 
• Running the dishwasher with hot water and the drying cycle 
• Washing clothes 
• Taking a shower or bath (avoid swallowing water and wash young children with a washcloth; turn on the bathroom fan) 

Schools, Businesses, Shops, and Institutions

• Turn off all water fountains. 
• Post a do not consume notice near all faucets. 
• Shut off water play areas and indoor decorative fountains. 

What to do once  the advisory is lifted

If the water is discolored, let the cold water run until it becomes clear. You can then use the water as usual. 

A water interruption notice is issued when work on the water network in your area may require shutting off the water supply. 

Duration
Depends on the work being carried out.  

Information
A notice indicating the start and end times is placed on your door.  

What to do before
Store water according to your needs. 

What to do once the advisory is lifted

• If the water is discolored or smells of chlorine, let it run until it becomes clear and odor-free. 
• If your wastewater goes to a septic tank rather than the municipal sewer, try to let the water flow outside. 
• If a faucet with an aerator has reduced flow, unscrew and rinse it.  

You can then use the water as usual.