THUNDER BAY -- Patients and staff at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre are being told not to drink hospital water until further notice.
Cathy Covino, the hospital’s director of quality and risk management, says discoloured water was first noticed on Tuesday and a precautionary drinking water advisory was then issued by the Thunder Bay District Health Unit.
“Bottled water and extra juice has been supplied to all units for patient-care needs,” said Cathy Covino in a release issued on Wednesday by the City of Thunder Bay.
“At this time, we are asking that staff, patients, volunteers and visitors refrain from consuming any water from taps or faucets.”
Boil-water advisories were also issued on Tuesday to nearby businesses at the intersection of Golf Links and Oliver roads.
City officials were quick to blame a newly installed water main on Golf Links Road and said once the discolouration was discovered, crews immediately began flushing area water mains.
Water samples have been collected and sent for analysis, the city release went on to say. The precautionary advisories won’t be lifted until satisfactory test results are returned.
A Health Unit spokeswoman said the incident was localized.
“This advisory is isolated to the area noted above and does not affect the entire city,” Melissa Kastern said in a release.
