Chateauguay and some surrounding communities are under a boil-water advisory due to the presence of fecal coliforms or E. coli in the tap water.
Tap water must be boiled for one minute until further notice for the following purposes:
- Drinking and preparing beverages;
- Preparing infant formula and baby food;
- Washing and preparing food that will be eaten raw (fruits, vegetables, etc.);
- Preparing food that does not require prolonged cooking (canned soups, desserts, etc.);
- Making ice cubes;
- Brushing teeth and rinsing the mouth.
As a precaution, the city is asking residents to throw away ice cubes (don’t forget refrigerator water dispenser tanks), beverages, and food prepared with unboiled tap water after the evening of Oct. 31.
Residents can use unboiled tap water for washing dishes and clothes, showering and bathing.
The Chateauguay aqueduct serves the municipalities of Châteauguay, Mercier and Sainte-Martine as well as certain sectors of municipalities of Léry, Saint-Isidore and Saint-Urbain. All those areas are affected.
People who ingest the unboiled tap water may experience symptoms including vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain.
Schools, companies, stores, and institutions must notify clientele that the water is unfit for consumption.
Those buildings are asked to shut water fountains off and post the information in locations where water remains available.
