Boil Water Advisory Lifted for Municipal Water Customers in the Town of Bracebridge

Thursday, January 14, 2021: The Boil Water Advisory (BWA) has been lifted by the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit (SMDHU) issued to Town of Bracebridge municipal water customers on Sunday, January 10, 2021. 

The BWA has been lifted effective Thursday, January 14, 2021.

The District of Muskoka worked closely with many partners to expedite repairs, accelerate test results and implemented several outreach methods to support our community during this water emergency. Thank you to our community for their patience, understanding and support, especially as we navigate through the COVID-19 pandemic together. 

As a precaution, our Town of Bracebridge community on municipal water service should take the following steps to make sure their water lines and appliances are flushed, per direction from the SMDHU. 

When a Boil Water Advisory is lifted, the SMDHU reminds residents to do the following:

• Run cold water faucets for a minimum of 5 (five) minutes before using the water.
• Run drinking fountains for 5 (five) minutes before using the water.
• Run water softeners through a regeneration cycle.
• Reverse Osmosis (RO) units: Replace pre-filters and follow the manufacturer's instructions.
• Replace other water filters, as they are disposable and may be contaminated. This applies especially to carbon filters and others that are near the end of their life.
• Flush, clean, and sanitize appliances with water line connections (e.g. fridges with water and ice dispensers) following the manufacturer's instructions.
• Drain and refill hot water heaters set below 45°C (113°F). Normal setting is 60°C (140°F).
• Drain and flush all ice-making machines and soda fountain machines.
• Dispose of any ice made during the advisory.
• Large-volume users (for example; restaurants, schools, etc.) may need to run cold water taps for a longer period of time on first use to ensure the water is not cloudy.

Temporary Discoloured Water is Normal

The District is required to ‘flush’ the water distribution system as part of the procedures required by Regulation. When this is carried out, it is normal to experience discoloured water temporarily which may appear to be rust coloured. This is simply because the iron and other mineral deposits in the water mains come off during flushing activities. This is normal. Run your tap for 5 minutes or until it runs clear.

Any facilities that were closed as a result of the advisory can now reopen after taking the necessary precautions. For more information, visit www.smdhu.org or call Health Connection Monday to Friday, 8:30 am-4:30 pm at 705-721-7520 or 1-877-721-7520 to speak with a public health inspector.

If you continue to experience water issues after performing the above measures, please contact the District of Muskoka Engineering and Public Works Department at 705-645-6764 ext. 4639 or publicworks@muskoka.on.ca