Public Advisory: Boil Water Advisories in Place for Residents and Communities Affected by Flooding on the West Coast

  • Municipal Affairs and Environment
  • Service NL

January 15, 2018

Please be advised that boil water advisories are in effect in the communities affected by flooding on the west coast of the island portion of the province. Residents whose water wells are impacted should take steps to ensure safety. Important information for residents on private groundwater wells is provided on the department website here: www.mae.gov.nl.ca/waterres/quality/drinkingwater/pdf/FloodingandWater.pdf.
  • Assess the condition of the well. Ensure the ground surface around the well is intact and stable. Check to see if any electrical components or wires are visible, or if there is damage to the well casing.
  • Mud, silt and other debris should be removed from the well casing, cap and all accessible components.
  • Disinfect the well.
  • After a contaminated well has been properly disinfected and the chlorine has been flushed out of the water system, the water should be tested to confirm that bacterial contamination has been removed.
  • Until testing shows that the water is free of bacterial contamination, continue to use disinfected or boiled water.
For overall information on flooding and well water safety, please visit: www.mae.gov.nl.ca/waterres/quality/drinkingwater/index.html The Department of Municipal Affairs and Environment helps communities with the chemical water quality; Service NL works with communities to determine when boil water advisories can be lifted. Homeowners who have questions or concerns about water testing may contact their local Government Service Centre. Contact information for the centres can be found at: www.servicenl.gov.nl.ca/department/contact.html#locations.

– 30 –

Media contacts Lynn Robinson Municipal Affairs and Environment 709-729-5449, 691-9466 lynnrobinson@gov.nl.ca Gina MacArthur Service NL 729-4748; 730-2977 GinaMacArthur@gov.nl.ca
2018 01 15 11:55 am