Boil water advisory issued in Huron County

A person holds a glass under a running water faucet in this generic image. (Source: Getty Images)

Dozens of homes located along Lake Huron find themselves under a boil water advisory due to possible contamination on Friday.

According to a news release, the medical officer of health for Huron Perth Public Health issued a boil water advisory on Friday for the Huron Sands drinking water system.

The advisory impacts approximately 120 homes near Port Albert, located north of Goderich.

The advisory has been issued due to no water pressure and potential contamination of the drinking water system.

Huron Perth Public Health advises it is not safe to consume water directly from taps, as it could make people sick. The elderly, very young, and people with weakened immune systems are most at risk.

A boil water advisory means all water used for cooking or drinking must be brought to a rolling boil for at least one minute prior to use. A safe alternative is commercially bottled water or water from an approved source.

The boil water advisory remains in effect until it is lifted by the medical officer of health or a public health inspector. Members of the public will be notified when the problem is rectified, the release adds.

Until then, residents are urged to boil their water at a rolling boil for at least one minute and allow it to cool before using it to:

• Drink
• Brush teeth or rinse dentures
• Prepare food, wash fruits, vegetables, and other food
• Prepare infant formula
• Make ice, beverages, or other mixes
• Wash dishes
• Provide drinking water to pets

What else should people know?

Adults, teens and older children can use un-boiled water for baths and showers, whereas small children can be given sponge baths instead of tub baths or showers. People are not to swallow any water used for showers and baths

It is safe to do laundry with the water.

Residents are urged to practice hand hygiene in response to the boil water advisory, including the use of an alcohol-based hand rub (70%) for hands that are not visibly soiled. If hands are visibly soiled, hands should be cleaned with a disposable wet wipe, then an alcohol-based hand rub should be applied. If disposable hand wipes are not available, hands should be washed with water and soap, dried, and then an alcohol-based hand rub should be applied to hands.

Signs and symptoms of someone being sick from consuming water that has not been decontaminated include:

• Severe stomach cramps
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea

Anyone experiencing symptoms is urged to contact their healthcare provider.

With files from CTV News London’s Scott Miller