Leadership with the City of Kenora say they’re hopeful that the boil water advisory affecting roughly half of the city will end no later than Monday afternoon, if not sooner.
The city issued a boil water advisory for all residences north of the Canadian Pacific Railway Line on Tuesday after a water main was struck on private property.
City Clerk and Director of Corporate Services, Heather Pihulak, says it was a private contractor that was doing work in the north area of the city, and when they struck the water main, it interrupted the city’s main water service distribution line – making the boil water advisory necessary.
She says as it stands, all water services are restored and the city is hoping to have water testing back and the boil water advisory lifted no later than Monday afternoon, if not sooner.
On social media, the city explains that two requirements must be met to end a boil water advisory. They include correcting the condition which led to the boil water advisory, as well as two consecutive sets of water samples, taken 24 hours or more apart, that meet disinfection standards.
In the meantime, all water from taps in the affected area should be boiled for at least one minute if it's used for human or pet consumption, as boiling the water will remove harmful bacteria that can cause illness.
The city is reminding the public that anyone completing in-ground work of any kind must contact Ontario One Call at ontarioonecall.ca or 1-800-400-2255 to receive locations of services on their property and for advice on safe excavation and digging procedures.