Though as of Nov. 23 water will be running through some of the taps in the City of Merritt, a Boil Water Advisory is being implemented indefinitely.
For those unfamiliar with Boil Water Advisories, find below a quick guide on how to properly adhere to one.
Though water samples from the City of Merritt system are being constantly tested in Kamloops labs, there are still organisms that are being found within them that are unsafe for human consumption. This means that water must be heated to a rolling boil for at least sixty seconds, then cooled, to kill the bacteria and make it safe to use for drinking, food preparation, brushing teeth, etc.
Once water is cooled, it does not need to be used right away, but rather can be stored safely in food-grade containers to drink later or for ice.
Interior Health stresses that water filters are not sufficient enough to make the water safe to drink.
The City of Merritt is asking residents to conserve as much water as possible.
