Drinking Water

Typically in the North, surface water is naturally clean and safe to drink. However, lake water or melted ice water (surface water) can become contaminated. Even the water from your water tank can become contaminated if it is not maintained adequately.

What are the possible health effects?

Health effects that come from drinking contaminated water include:

• Gastro-intestinal infections
• Nausea and vomiting

Tips - What can you do?

• The owner of the house should ensure that water tanks are cleaned and disinfected when the tank is first installed and once a year thereafter. You should never try to enter the water tank. Water tanks are dangerous because they are confined spaces and may not contain or allow in enough air to breathe. To clean the tank:
  1. Ensure the tank is full of water
  2. Add 1 cup (250 mL) of unscented household bleach for every 50 imperial gallons of water in you water holding tank. If possible mix the bleach and water in the tank.
  3. To disinfect the plumbing lines and fixtures, turn the taps on. Once you smell the chlorine odour at each outlet, close the taps.
  4. Leave for 12 hours (usually overnight) and do not use the water during this time.
  5. Completely drain the water tank. Do not drain this water into a septic tank if you have one.
  6. Refill with drinking water.
     
     
• The taste and smell of bleach may be too strong after you refill you tank. If this is the case, empty and refill your tank again. This will help rinse the bleach from your tank.

• Use only cold tap water for drinking, cooking and making baby formula, since hot water may contain more lead or other contaminants (hot water will more easily dissolve contaminants and hot water often can sit for long periods of time in your hot water tank and pipes).

• During boil-water advisories or boil-water orders, or if you plan on drinking water from the land or ice, you should bring your water to a rolling boil for a full minute before use. Do this for all water you use for drinking, cooking, making beverages and ice cubes, washing fruits and vegetables, or brushing your teeth. Give toddlers and infants sponge baths to ensure they do not drink the water while being bathed.

• If you plan on drinking water from the land or ice, follow common safety practices such as:
  • Choose a clean area to collect ice for drinking water, away from snowmobile exhaust or other sources of pollution;
  • Shave off the outer layer of ice and collect the fresh inner core;
  • Bring your water to a rolling boil for a full minute before use;
  • Store the water in clean containers; and
  • Cover the water to avoid incoming debris.