Crews are on site and making repairs; meanwhile, area residents can pick up bottled water at Rayside Public Works building

Public Health Sudbury & Districts has issued a drinking water advisory for residents of Vermillion Lake Road and Hwy. 144 (west of Joanette Road), Chelmsford.

A drinking water advisory means that people who take their water from the municipal system should not use it for drinking; making juice, infant formula, or ice; cooking; washing uncooked fruit and vegetables; or brushing teeth.

Boiling the water may not make it safe for drinking. For these purposes, water from an alternate source, such as bottled water, should be used. The water can be used for laundry and bathing (excluding small children who could swallow the water).

While the City of Greater Sudbury works to repair and restore the water supply, which was interrupted due to a water main break, residents should not use the water for human consumption until advised otherwise by Public Health Sudbury & Districts, said the press release issued in the late evening of Feb. 14.

Meanwhile, the city said in a press release issued Feb. 15 that crews are on site and making repairs.

Affected residents can pick up bottled water from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Feb. 15 at the Rayside Public Works building, located at 101 Raddison Ave, Chelmsford, until the advisory is lifted.

For larger quantities, residents can access the residential filling stations on Church St, Bancroft Dr, and Countryside Dr, in Sudbury.

Updates will be provided as they become available.

“It is possible that the loss of water pressure created conditions that compromised the safety of the drinking water,” said Cindy Rocca, a manager in Public Health’s Health Protection Division, in the press release.

“Until bacteriological testing of the drinking water indicates a safe supply, the drinking water advisory will remain in effect as a precaution.”

Public Health staff will continue to monitor the situation, the press release said. Public Health Sudbury & Districts will notify the municipality when the drinking water advisory is lifted and residents will be advised.

For more information, contact Public Health Sudbury & Districts at 705-522-9200, ext. 398 (toll-free 1-866-522-9200) or visit phsd.ca.