EMERGENCY WATER CONSERVATION ALERT EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY:
DUE TO MECHANICAL ISSUES WITH THE DISTRIBUTION PUMPS AT THE WEYBURN WATER TREATMENT PLANT, ALL RESIDENTS ARE INSTRUCTED TO RESTRICT WATER USAGE TO ESSENTIAL HOUSEHOLD USE ONLY. FURTHER INFORMATION WILL POSTED AS IT BECOMES AVAILABLE.
** Water Security Agency has issued a public drinking water advisory. Weyburn is under a boil water advisory until further notice **
Precautions to be taken by all households during this Precautionary Drinking Water Advisory:
1. Boil all water, used for drinking purposes, for at least one (1) minute, at a rolling boil, prior to use;
2. 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;
3. Do not use the water for washing dishes, unless the water has been boiled or the dishes are sanitized in another fashion. Washed dishes and utensils can be soaked in a bleach water solution (approximately 2 tablespoons 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.
Note: Do not mix bleach with soaps or detergents.
4. Do not drink from any public drinking fountains supplied with water from the public water supply;
5. Ensure that younger children and infants are sponge bathed;
6. Use an alternative water source known to be safe, if you do not wish to boil the water; and
7. Consult with your physician if you have cuts or rashes that are severe, before using the water.
Under most circumstances, it is not needed 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. Laundry may be washed in tap water, either by hand or by machine.
Precautions to be taken at Public Facilities during this Precautionary Drinking Water Advisory:
The following precautionary measures for public facilities are in addition to the measures that are listed in the PDWA that have been posted in the community by the City of Weyburn (shown above).
These measures do not apply to all public premises. Those that are not pertinent to the premise’s operation may be ignored.
Do NOT serve water directly from the taps to your clients.
Water being served must be brought to a rolling boil for at least one minute, cooled and then refrigerated before being used cold.
Bottled water from an alternate approved source may also be used.
Coffee makers connected to the water supply must be disconnected if the water being heated for making coffee does not reach boiling point. Coffee makers vary from facility to facility so please discuss your particular situation with a Public Health Inspector if you have questions about your equipment.
Boiled or bottled water must be used when rinsing fruits and vegetables that will not be cooked.
Discard any ice made in the last 7 days or otherwise directed by the local health region.
Turn the water off to any automatic ice making equipment, slush machines, drink dispensers or similar equipment. Sometimes this equipment includes water treatment devices, please discuss your particular case with a Public Health Inspector if you are not sure.
The water may be used for washing dishes in a dishwasher if there is a sani-cycle that reaches at least 45C for 20 minutes or 50C for 5 minutes or 72C for 1 minute.
Disconnect drinking fountains.
Post notices in all washrooms advising of the PDWA and reminding customers NOT to drink from the taps.
In dental offices, provide boiled or bottled water for patients when rinsing mouths. Also ensure that equipment that uses water is provided with a safe supply.