The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Due to a failure of their water chlorinating system, the Town of Snow Lake was put under a Boil Water Advisory at approximately 12:48 p.m. on Saturday, January 29.Ê The Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health (CMOH) was contacted immediately after it was determined that the system could not be immediately repaired and the order was issued shortly after that by the Town of Snow Lake, the NOR-MAN Regional Health Authority, the Office of the CMOH, Manitoba Health, and the Office of Drinking Water, Manitoba Water Stewardship.Ê "It was discovered at around 6 a.m. that the chlorinator for our municipal water system had malfunctioned," said Mayor Garry Zamzow on Saturday afternoon. "This occurred at some time subsequent to a check on the system at 8:00 a.m. (the day before) on January 28." In a joint news release, the agencies stated that they could not be assured that water from Snow Lake's system had been adequately chlorinated (disinfected) since that time, however, they said that it was likely there would be no serious illness resulting from the event. Nevertheless, as a precaution, they advised everyone to take the following safety measures until the problem was fixed and adequate disinfection was restored. "All water should be brought to a rolling boil for at least one minute before it is used for: drinking and ice making; beverage preparation, such as infant formula; preparing food; and brushing teeth," the release noted.Ê It also advised that it wasn't necessary to boil tap water used for showering, laundry, bathing, or washing dishes. Town staff and council members got the message out to townspeople minutes after the advisory had been issued, using telephones and going doorÐto-door with leaflets for those who couldn't be reached by phone. Through discussions with government agencies, the Town's public works people began introducing chlorine to the water distribution system via their fluoride pump; however, it is not likely the advisory order will be lifted until it has been determined chlorine levels are adequate and have stabilized. The community is also working at getting parts for the existing system as well as bringing in a mobile backup system. The release noted that as new information becomes available, further public notices will be issued. People requiring further information can contact the Town office at 358-2551 or the Regional Drinking Water Officer at 204-627-8361. Health related inquiries can be directed to a person's own primary health care provider or Health Links at 1-888-315-9257. Suspected water-related illness should be reported to Public Health, NOR-MAN Regional Health Authority at 687-1300. To reach a government official after hours, please call 204-945-0183. Editor's Note: The Boil Water Advisory was still in effect at press time, Monday evening, Jan. 31. It is believed that it will be lifted relatively soon, at which time the public will be notified.
