MONTREAL — A boil-water advisory issued Wednesday morning for the southwest sector of Montreal has been extended to many other areas both on and off the island and affects an estimated 1.3 million people.
City officials said the warning could be in place for at least 24 hours.
The city issued the new warning at 10:30 a.m. for all areas south of the Metropolitan Expressway, from LaSalle in the west to Pointe aux Trembles in the east.
Residents across that swath of Montreal Island are warned to boil the somewhat brownish water flowing from their taps — or use bottled water — until further notice.
Some of the affected municipalities and districts include: Verdun, Point-St-Charles, St-Henri, Côte-St-Paul, Ville-Émard, Westmount, Côte-St-Luc, Hampstead, Town of Mount Royal, Anjou, Montreal East and the off-island town of Charlemagne.
The borough of St-Laurent was later added to that list.
Until further notice, residents are advised to run their taps until the water runs clear and then boil their drinking water for at least one minute.
Maintenance work at the Atwater water facility affected the quality of water samples and prompted the advisory.
The city is recommending boiling water or using bottled water for drinking, preparing baby formula, washing fruits and vegetables, brushing teeth and making ice cubes.
Water straight out of the faucet is okay for washing hands and dishes, as long as very hot water is used and the hands are dried immediately. Uncoiled tap water is also fine for washing clothes and taking a bath or shower.
Parents should make sure small children keep their mouths closed and not swallow bathwater. Better still, skip bath time for a day or give them a sponge bath.
When the situation has reverted to normal, the city will advise.
Citizens can call 311 for more information.
JAN RAVENSBERGEN OF THE GAZETTE CONTRIBUTED TO THIS STORY.
Read more: http://www.montrealgazette.com/Boil...ontreal+area/8418842/story.html#ixzz2U2pphx18
City officials said the warning could be in place for at least 24 hours.
The city issued the new warning at 10:30 a.m. for all areas south of the Metropolitan Expressway, from LaSalle in the west to Pointe aux Trembles in the east.
Residents across that swath of Montreal Island are warned to boil the somewhat brownish water flowing from their taps — or use bottled water — until further notice.
Some of the affected municipalities and districts include: Verdun, Point-St-Charles, St-Henri, Côte-St-Paul, Ville-Émard, Westmount, Côte-St-Luc, Hampstead, Town of Mount Royal, Anjou, Montreal East and the off-island town of Charlemagne.
The borough of St-Laurent was later added to that list.
Until further notice, residents are advised to run their taps until the water runs clear and then boil their drinking water for at least one minute.
Maintenance work at the Atwater water facility affected the quality of water samples and prompted the advisory.
The city is recommending boiling water or using bottled water for drinking, preparing baby formula, washing fruits and vegetables, brushing teeth and making ice cubes.
Water straight out of the faucet is okay for washing hands and dishes, as long as very hot water is used and the hands are dried immediately. Uncoiled tap water is also fine for washing clothes and taking a bath or shower.
Parents should make sure small children keep their mouths closed and not swallow bathwater. Better still, skip bath time for a day or give them a sponge bath.
When the situation has reverted to normal, the city will advise.
Citizens can call 311 for more information.
JAN RAVENSBERGEN OF THE GAZETTE CONTRIBUTED TO THIS STORY.
Read more: http://www.montrealgazette.com/Boil...ontreal+area/8418842/story.html#ixzz2U2pphx18
