Boil water advisory shuts down much of Gravenhurst, schools remain open
A boil water advisory (BWA) remains in effect for the town of Gravenhurst following a complete shutoff to water access on Saturday.
According to officials, the advisory is expected to remain in effect until at least midday on Tues. Nov. 30.
It comes after district staff responded to a low fluoride monitoring alarm from the Gravenhurst Water Treatment Plant early Saturday morning. After the issue was resolved, staff noticed a fluoride container that was not labelled correctly.
"That had to be tested and so in order to do so, because if there was something other than fluoride that went in it, they had to make sure that there wasn't anything that impacted the entire community," Gravenhurst Mayor Paul Kelly tells CTV News.
Water must be boiled for at least one minute and cooled before the following activities:
- Drinking
- Brushing teeth or rinsing dentures
- Preparing food
- Making ice, beverages or other mixes
- Drinking water for pets
Officials advise residents to wash dishes with soap and water, rinse them and then sanitize them in a separate sink with some bleach.
Many businesses have been forced to close as a result of the issue.
"Just another hurdle we have to go through, but that's life, I guess," says Nancy Magdalinos, the manager of Rombo's restaurant. "I understand it, and it is a loss of business, but what are you going to do really just kinda move and hope it gets better right?"
While water that has not been boiled can be used for showers, it is recommended that small children be given sponge baths as the water is not to be consumed in any way.
According to the town, laundry activities are also permitted.
Schools in Gravenhurst will remain open on Monday, despite the boil water advisory.
In a release sent Sunday evening, the Trillium Lakelands District School Board (TLDSB) says schools will continue to operate as usual.
Staff will supply bottled water to students while the drinking fountains are turned off.
Washroom facilities are functioning normally and are safe to use. The schools will continue to supply students with clean drinking water until the BWA is lifted.
Anyone in need of additional support can contact housingsupport@muskoka.on.ca or 705-645-2412.
With files from CTV's Kraig Krause
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'They needed people inside Air Canada:' Police announce arrests in Pearson gold heist
Police say one former and one current employee of Air Canada are among the nine suspects that are facing charges in connection with the gold heist at Pearson International Airport last year.
Why drivers in Eastern Canada could see big gas price spikes, and other Canadians won't
Drivers in Eastern Canada face a big increase in gas prices because of various factors, especially the higher cost of the summer blend, industry analysts say.
BREAKING Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter banned from NBA
Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter has been handed a lifetime ban from The National Basketball Association (NBA) following an investigation which found he disclosed confidential information to sports bettors, the league says.
WATCH LIVE As GC Strategies partner is admonished by MPs, RCMP confirms search warrant executed
The RCMP confirmed Wednesday it had executed a search warrant at an address registered to GC Strategies. This development comes as MPs are enacting an extraordinary, rarely used parliamentary power, summoning one of its contractors to appear before the House of Commons to be admonished publicly for failing to answer questions related to the ArriveCan app.
Disappointment widespread over budget's proposed $200-month disability benefit funding
Advocacy groups across Canada are expressing widespread disappointment about the amount of funding earmarked in the 2024 federal budget for the long-awaited Canada Disability Benefit.
Earthquake jolts southern Japan
An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.4 hit southern Japan late on Wednesday, said the Japan Meteorological Agency, without issuing a tsunami warning.
opinion Don Martin: Gusher of Liberal spending won't put out the fire in this dumpster
A Hail Mary rehash of the greatest hits from the Trudeau government’s three-week travelling pony-show, the 2024 federal budget takes aim at reversing the party’s popularity plunge in the under-40 set, writes political columnist Don Martin. But will it work before the next election?
Ancient skeletons unearthed in France reveal Mafia-style killings
More than 5,500 years ago, two women were tied up and probably buried alive in a ritual sacrifice, using a form of torture associated today with the Italian Mafia, according to an analysis of skeletons discovered at an archeological site in southwest France.
Paul McCartney and John Lennon’s sons have released a single together
A new Lennon and McCartney collaboration is the last thing anybody expected.