Residents in several communities on Montreal’s South Shore are being asked to boil their tap water following an operational issue at a regional water treatment facility.
The City of Châteauguay announced Saturday that a precautionary boil water advisory has been put in place after a technical malfunction was detected at the Marchand drinking water production plant.
The notice affects all municipalities connected to Châteauguay’s water distribution system, including Châteauguay, Mercier, Léry, Saint-Urbain-Premier and Sainte-Martine.
Until the advisory is lifted, residents are encouraged to use bottled water or boil tap water for at least one minute before consuming it. The recommendation also applies to brushing teeth, preparing beverages and washing foods that will be eaten raw.
Municipal officials emphasized that normal bathing and showering can continue. However, parents of young children are advised to limit the amount of water used in bathtubs and ensure children do not swallow bathwater.
The city says boiling water for a minimum of one minute eliminates microorganisms that could potentially affect water quality.
Crews are currently working to address the issue at the treatment plant, and the advisory will remain in effect until testing confirms the water supply meets all safety standards.
Boil water notices are commonly issued as a preventive measure whenever there is a possibility that drinking water quality may have been compromised, including after infrastructure repairs or treatment system disruptions.
