ROCHE PERCEE - The village of Roche Percee is under a boil drinking water order.
This order is for the entire community and other individuals who access water from the village. It will remain in effect until further notice.
A letter from the Saskatchewan Health Authority, sent to the village's mayor and council and posted on Facebook by the Village of Roche Percee, says that on Sept. 19, a water sample from the Roche Percee water system was collected and submitted for analysis. The Water Security Agency advised the SHA that the water sample contained E.coli bacteria.
"Because the presence of E.coli presents a serious threat to health, provincial protocol requires that an emergency boil water order be issued when it is found in a public water supply," the SHA said in a letter.
Water from the village's supply and distribution system should be boiled, at a rolling boil, for at least one minute before using to ensure bacteriological safety, the letter states. Those individuals not wishing to boil water should make use of an alternative water source that is known to be safe.
This applies to any water which may enter a person's mouth, such as water used for brushing teeth, soaking false teeth and adding to food or drink which will not be subsequently heating.
"Since harmful bacteria may survive freezing, ice cubes should also be made from previously boiled water," states the advisory.
All dishes and utensils should be soaked in a bleach water solution, with approximately two tablespoons of bleach per gallon or 10 millilitres of bleach per litre of water for at least two minutes after being washed to kill any bacteria that may be present.
Do not mix bleach with soaps and detergents.
