The recent heavy rain has led the district’s health unit to issue an advisory for residents on well water to boil their water before consumption.
In a news release issued Wednesday morning, officials with the Thunder Bay and District Health Unit states that heavy rainfall and ponding of water near a well casing can cause contaminated well water.
The full news release from the health unit, including the boil water advisory, can be read below:
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Boiling Well Water Recommended
The Health Unit is strongly advising well owners in any areas affected by this past weekend’s high water levels to bring well water to a rolling boil for one minute before consumption. Heavier than normal rainfall and ponding of water around a well casing can cause contamination of well water; potentially putting you and your family at risk.
Well water used for brushing teeth, making baby formula, washing foods and cooking should also be boiled.
This precautionary measure should be taken while water levels are high and until well owners have had their water tested for bacteria.
For further information, visit the Health Unit website at TBDHU.COM/eh/waterquality or contact the environmental health department at 625-5930.
Foods Affected by Flooding
The Health Unit is advising all residents who were affected by flooding to take caution in consuming foods that may have been in contact with flood water. Flood water may carry silt, raw sewage, oil or chemical waste.
Thoroughly inspect all food items and discard any food that has been contaminated by flood water. If you are in doubt about the safety of any food, throw it out rather than risk illness or disease.
You should discard:
- Food stored in permeable containers. Screw-caps, snap lids, pull tops and crimped-cap containers are examples of containers that may not be waterproof.
- Food wrapped in paper, plastic cloth, fibre or cardboard.
- Food that has come in direct contact with flood water. This includes meats, fish, poultry, fruits and vegetables (raw or cooked).
- Home-canned food in glass containers that have come in contact with flood water. Throw away the food and the flat part of the lids. The empty jars can be washed and sterilized for future use.
- Commercially-canned foods that are damaged. Cans that are bulging, swelling, leaking, punctured, dented or have holes, fractures or are rusting should be thrown out.
- Porous items that may come in contact with food or with a person’s mouth. These items include: baby bottle nipples and pacifiers; wooden bowls; and plastic, paper or foam food storage containers and utensils.
For more information, see attached PDF – Food Safety After a Flood.
Restaurants and Food Establishments
Any restaurant or food premise that have experienced flooding, please contact the Health Unit.
