Boil-water advisory issued for Okotoks

Heavy rainfall last week has prompted health officials to issue a boil-water advisory for the town of Okotoks, south of Calgary.

The Calgary Health Region (CHR) said the rains have led to increased turbidity in the municipal water supply, meaning an increased amount of solids in the water are making it cloudy. The CHR said this could lead to potentially unsafe water.

Residents are being advised to boil their tap water, even if it is filtered, for one minute prior to drinking, cooking or brushing teeth, as this will destroy any disease-causing microorganisms.

The Region said adults and teens may take baths or showers with untreated water, but because young children are likely to drink bath water, they should be given a sponge bath.

Residents can wash their hands using tap water if they follow it with an alcohol-based hand disinfectant, the CHR said, or they can use water that has been boiled.

Dishwashers with a hot temperature setting, or which use disinfectant, are safe to use.

The CHR said the advisory is a precautionary measure and is expected to last for a week.