Boil-Water Advisory

Boil-water advisories are to protect public health. An advisory may be issued for preventive reasons, if there is a risk of contamination after repairs to waterworks conduits or due to non-compliant test results on the raw water (before treatment). The law obliges the municipality to issue an advisory even if the results are related to untreated water.

When water is boiled for at least one minute, all the micro-organisms that could affect human health are destroyed.

If even boiled water would not be safe to consume, a do-not-drink order will be issued and the city will take specific measures to ensure that the residents are informed.

• How does the city inform the public about a boil-water advisory?

  If the advisory affects just a small part of the city, such as a few streets due to a watermain break, the city will distribute door hangers to all the affected residences. If a larger part of the city is affected, a variety of means will be used to inform the public:

  • The automated call service can contact you by phone or text message. Make sure you are registered.
  • An emergency message will be posted permanently on the city’s homepage.
  • The information will be available on the city’s Facebook page.
  • Journalists will also be informed.
• What to do if there is a boil-water advisory

  Water boiled for one minute, or bottled water, must be used until further notice.

  Schools, businesses, shops and institutions

  Inform your clients that the water is unfit for consumption. Turn off water fountains and post signs in places where water is still available.

  To find out more about what to do in the event of a boil-water advisory, please see:

  • our webpage on civil security and drinking water contamination or shortages
  • the brochure published by the Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux