BOIL WATER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT
The Municipal District of St. Stephen would like to provide client on the municipal water system with an update to our current Boil Water Advisory situation.
Testing taken at the water treatment plant indicates that our water quality continues to normalize. Additionally, testing taken at the other end of our system, being the Milltown area also showed signs of improvement. Unfortunately, levels have not yet recovered to the point to where Public Health will permit the removal of the Boil Water Advisory.
Additionally, we would like to advise the public that this morning our community experienced an infrastructure failure at the main water well that serves our community. This failure has not yet negatively impacted the progress made towards lifting the Boil Water Advisory. Until the extent of the damage is fully known, the possibility exists that this damage, or the work necessary to repair it, could cause further Boil Water Advisories. More information will be released once it is available.
Our team, along with our engineers and other contracted expertise are working diligently to undertake whatever work is necessary to bring the water quality back within the accepted parameters.
From GNB:
RE: INTERDICTION – Saint Stephen, NB.
Your Worship,
On March 15, 2023, the Town of Saint Stephen issued a boil water advisory due to an increase in turbidity levels. Elevated turbidity levels will reduce the efficiency of disinfection by preventing pathogenic or disease-causing organisms from being destroyed. All affected residents must be advised to boil their water until further notice.
Therefore, under Section 6(2) of the New Brunswick Public Health Act, the boil water order shall remain in effect until the following actions have been completed:
- Turbidity levels have decreased to normal operating levels.
- A thorough flushing of the water main has been conducted.
- Acceptable chlorine residual results have been provided to the Department of Health.
- After disinfection and final flushing, two sets of acceptable bacteriological sample results have been taken from the impacted area at least 16 hours apart. Testing must be representative of the area affected.
As purveyor of the supply, you must advise users accordingly. The following are recommendations and information that should be conveyed to users during this period:
All water destined for drinking, preparing infant formulas and juices, making ice, washing fruits and vegetables, cooking, or dental hygiene be held at a rolling boil for one (1) minute, or an alternate safe source of water should be used/provided. Toddlers and infants should be sponge-bathed and caregivers need to ensure no bath water is swallowed.
Users can find information about common questions related to boil water advisories in the document available here:
If you have any questions, please contact your local Health Protection Services office at (506) 658-3022.
https://www2.gnb.ca/content/dam/gnb/Departments/h-s/pdf/en/HealthyEnvironments/water/BoilWaterAdvisoriesQuestionsAnswers.pdf