Friday update: Get the latest here
A widespread boil-water notice has been issued for many communities on the South Shore.
E. coli bacteria was detected in the the water supply for Boucherville, St. Bruno de Montarville, St. Hubert, and Old Longueuil.
Any water coming from taps in those areas must be boiled for at least one minute before being used for drinking, brushing teeth or cleaning fruits and vegetables.
Restaurateurs started the day earlier than normal Thursday to buy bottled water, and to boil enough tap water to get through the day.
"We wash everything you know, everything is with water. Our dishes, our food, so it's hard," said Anna Marsala, the owner of Joe's Roi du Sous-Marin.
Julia Devette, the owner of Saint Laurent Café, said boil-water advisories have become an annual event.
"It's just something we have to deal with, we do coffee a little differently. It takes more time," said Devette.
Untreated tap water can be safely used for washing clothes, washing dishes in hot water, or bathing, though officials say users should turn the heat up as hot as they can stand it.
Anyone who has already drunk tap water and notices health issues like upset stomach or diarrhea should reach out to Info Santé at 8-1-1.
Because of the delays required in testing water for safety, the boil water notice will be in effect until at least Friday.
"We do not know immediately where in the whole process the problem has occurred. Rarely is the water treatment facility an issue. Usually it is somewhere down the line on the pipe. There could have been construction work where the pipe was damaged, for instance,” said Longueuil spokesperson Louis-Pascal Cyr.
The advisory affects some 260,000 people.
