E. coli found in water in Halbrite

The village of Halbrite is under an emergency boil water order that was issued by the Saskatchewan Health Authority.

The order is in effect until further notice. Halbrite is about 30 kilometres southeast of Weyburn.

In a letter sent to the reeve and administrator of Halbrite, the SHA issued the boil water order after a water sample collected Monday was reported by the provincial laboratory to contain E. coli bacteria.

The provincial protocol requires an emergency boil water order any time E. coli is found in a public water supply as it presents a serious threat to health.

In the notice distributed to residents, the SHA states water from the supply and distribution system in Halbrite should be boiled for at least one minute. Those not wishing to boil water should make use of alternate sources of water that are known to be safe.

The notice applies to all water that may enter a person’s mouth, such as brushing teeth, soaking false teeth and water for food or drink that will not be heated. As well, ice cubes should be made from water that was previously boiled, as the bacteria may survive freezing.

The notice also states when washing dishes and utensils, they should be soaked in a solution of 10 millilitres of bleach for every litre of water for at least two minutes after being washed. The notice says bleach is not to be mixed with soaps and detergents.

Steven Wilson, Discover Weyburn