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URGENT: Boil Before Drinking

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To supplement the water supply into the Metro, additional water has been introduced into the water reticulation system through boreholes. As such NMBM is advising consumers to boil tap water before ingestion.

With the addition of unblended ground water into our reticulation system, low dam levels and fluctuating reservoir levels the quality of the water is constantly changing and can not be 100 percent guaranteed.

Through a system of blending water from different water sources, a blending ratio is used to meet SANS241: 2015 water quality standards. Currently due to the decline of the water supply sources such as the Churchill Dam (currently vulnerable/unstable) which has dropped below abstraction rates, resulting in the blending ratio not being met and therefore the water needs to be boiled as a precautionary act.

NMBM Executive Mayor, Cllr Retief Odendaal said the change of quality relates to chemical parameters and not bacteriological. “We are not saying there is bacteria in our water and therefore it is unsafe to drink. We are saying the water may not taste as it normally does and so as a precautionary measure, our residents must just boil the water before consuming it,” said Mayor Odendaal.

Recommendations

Residents should do one of the following, until further notice:

  • Use bottled or boiled water for drinking, and to prepare and cook food. If bottled water is not available, bring water to a full rolling boil for 1 minute. After boiling, allow the water to cool before use.
  • Boil tap water even if it is filtered (for example, by a home water filter or a pitcher that filters water).
  • Do not use water from any appliance connected to your water line, such as ice and water from a refrigerator.
  • Breastfeeding is the best infant feeding option. If you formula feed your child, provide ready- to-use formula, if possible.

Handwashing:

  • In many cases, you can use tap water and soap to wash hands during a boil water advisory. Follow the guidance from your local public health officials.
  • Be sure to scrub your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Then, rinse them well under running water.
  • If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

Bathing and showering:

  • Be careful not to swallow any water when bathing or showering.
  • Use caution when bathing babies and young children. Consider giving them a sponge bath to reduce the chance of them swallowing water.

Brushing teeth:

  • Brush teeth with boiled or bottled water. Do not use tap water that you have not boiled first.

Washing dishes:

  • If possible, use disposable plates, cups, and utensils during a boil water advisory.
  • Household dishwashers generally are safe to use if:
  • The water reaches a final rinse temperature of at least 66°Celsius, or – The dishwater has a sanitizing cycle.
  • Sanitize all baby bottles.

To wash dishes by hand:

  • Wash and rinse the dishes as you normally would using hot water.
  • In a separate basin, add 1 teaspoon of unscented household liquid bleach for each litre of warm water.
  • Soak the rinsed dishes in the water for at least one minute.
  • Let the dishes air dry completely before using again.

Laundry:

  • It is safe to wash clothes as usual.

Cleaning:

  • Clean washable toys and surfaces with: – Bottled water, Boiled water, or Water that has been disinfected.

Caring for pets:

  • Pets can get sick from some of the same germs as people or spread germs to people. Give pets bottled water or boiled water that has cooled.
  • If bottled water is not available, bring water to a full rolling boil for 1 minute (at elevations above 6,500 feet, boil for 3 minutes). After boiling, allow the water to cool before use.
  • Boil tap water even if it is filtered (for example, by a home water filter or a pitcher that filters water).
  • Do not use water from any appliance connected to your water line, such as ice and water from a refrigerator.
  • Caring for your garden and houseplants
  • You can use tap water for household plants and gardens.

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Views Since 15 July 2022: 43

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.