North Bruce Peninsula under boil water advisory in Lion’s Head

The Municipality of North Bruce Peninsula issued a precautionary Boil Water Advisory (BWA) as part of the response to a water main break incident in Lion’s Head on November 13th around 10 pm.

A water main break in the municipal water system caused loss of pressure affecting about 370 households and about 50 of them are without any water at all. The other 320 households still have water, but there is a risk that the water in the system may have been contaminated due to the loss pressure. In such incidents, contamination of the water system by harmful bacteria, such as E.coli could take place. Chlorine residual levels remain adequate within the water system.

Precautionary Boil Water Advisory was issued that would remain in place until a confirmation that the water main was repaired, AND the water within the system is confirmed to be free from bacteria (through regular and repeated testing throughout the system).

Notification was delivered to operators of high-risk settings such as the Long Term Care Home, hospital, school, and childcare settings on November 13th, with door-to-door delivery of the advisory pamphlets by the fire department and its volunteers on November 14th that began at 7:00 a.m. and was completed 10:15 a.m.

Efforts to repair the main were completed by the late morning of November 14th, 2021.

Monitoring of the water quality and frequent testing continue. Passive epidemiology surveillance and monitoring of potential trends related to illness in the community continues. Active/Enhanced surveillance for such trends will be conducted through working with the local health care system.

Residents affected by this precautionary boil water advisory will be notified when the Boil Water Notice has been lifted.

Public Drinking Water (publichealthgreybruce.on.ca)

For questions, please contact:
·  Grey Bruce Public Health Unit: (519)-376-9420
·  Municipality of Northern Bruce Peninsula: (519)-793-3522
·  Ontario Clean Water Agency: (866)-214-6987

Dr. Ian Arra, Medical Officer of Health Grey Bruce thanks staff and volunteers from the municipality, the fire department, and the Peninsula Family Health Team for the impressive work. “The prompt and robust response and efforts to mitigate the risk of this incident and ensure the protection of the health of the community is greatly appreciated”.