Who can issue a Boil Water Notice?
Only Interior Health, in cooperation with local government, can issue or rescind a boil water notice. No other body or individual has this authority. What does a Boil Water Notice mean? When a boil water notice is issued Interior Health informs residents to bring any water intended for human consumption to a rolling boil for a minimum of 1 full minute. This includes water used for brushing teeth and making coffee/tea/hot chocolate. Boiling water should kill the bacteria and pathogens that may be present in any given water source. However, boiling will not remove any heavy metals. These can only be filtered out. The RDCK and Interior Health recommend that all customers drink boiled water or a safe alternative until further notice. Water intended for drinking, washing fruits and vegetables, making beverages or ice, or brushing teeth should be boiled for one minute. Boiled water should then be refrigerated in a clean, covered container. Customers could also choose to use bottled or distil
