Media Release from 5 Wing Goose Bay
Boil Water Advisory Remains in Effect
| Public Service Announcement Media Release from 5 Wing Goose Bay Boil Water Advisory Remains in Effect October 14, 2026 – Happy Valley-Goose Bay, N.L. – Canadian Armed Forces A precautionary boil water advisory (BWA) was established on Monday, September 14, 2026, and remains in effect. This extension has been implemented as a precautionary measure and is consistent with medical guidance provided by the 5 Wing Surgeon. The original BWA was issued due to elevated turbidity (cloudiness) levels in the water. High turbidity can reduce the effectiveness of water treatment processes, increasing the risk that contaminants could pass through the system. Although no contaminants have been detected, the advisory remains in place in accordance with public health guidelines. Planning efforts are on-going for the early implementation of filtration and treatment system upgrades. These upgrades will improve the reliability of the water system and reduce the likelihood of future turbidity-related advisories. At the same time, required system inspections and cleaning activities will be completed. Due to the age and complexity of the current system, this work will take time and requires an extension of the BWA. While the exact end date will depend on a number of factors, users should plan for the advisory to remain in effect until at least December 2026. Additional updates will be provided as new information becomes available. 5 Wing is actively working with all relevant stakeholders, including the town of Happy Valley – Goose Bay, to implement the necessary measures to resolve the BWA as soon as possible. As a precaution, those living and working in the area are reminded to bring water to a rapid rolling boil for at least one minute prior to consuming. Please follow the below instructions during this advisory. Additional information in the form of frequently asked questions can also be found at the bottom of this announcement. Use Instructions: Drinking: Use boiled tap water Brushing teeth: Use boiled tap water Washing hands: Can continue to be washed using tap water and a proper handwashing technique that includes rubbing all parts of the hands with soap and water for a minimum of 20 seconds Ice cubes: Use boiled tap water Preparing food: Use boiled tap water Beverage:s Use boiled tap water Washing fruits/vegetables: Use boiled tap water Laundry: May be washed in tap water, unless water is cloudy Showers or baths: Adults, adolescents, and older children may shower, bathe, or wash using tap water, but should avoid swallowing the water. Infants and toddlers should be sponge bathed to reduce the chance of them swallowing the water. Washing dishes: May be washed in tap water, either by hand or by machine Infant formula: Use boiled tap water Pets: Use boiled tap water 5 Wing Goose Bay thanks you for your patience during this time. When the water system is involved, an overabundance of precaution is taken. The health and Safety of those who live and work at 5 Wing Goose Bay and our neighbours in our community is always at the forefront of all decisions made by 5 Wing. -30- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) What is a Boil Water Advisory? A Boil Water Advisory (BWA) has been described by Health Canada as a public announcement issued by a health unit or water provider telling people to boil their water. A BWA is a safety measure issued to protect the public from bacteria or other organisms that may be in the water. Why would a Boil Water Advisory be issued? The Wing Surgeon issues a BWA when the water source is not safe for drinking or other uses. Typically a BWA is issued because the drinking water has been found to be contaminated with waterborne microbes (tiny organisms). A decisions to issue a BWA is based on standards from Health Canada. A BWA may also be issued during the following situations: • Community outbreaks of bacteria (e.g. E. coli), viruses or parasites • Water main breaks • Low disinfection levels in drinking water • Flooding What should I do during a BWA? Water from the tap should NOT be used for drinking, making infant formula and juices, cooking, making ice, washing fruits, vegetables or brushing teeth. For these purposes, boiled water or bottled water should be used. Water should be placed in a heat-resistant container or in an electric kettle without an automatic shut-off and brought to a rapid rolling boil for 1 minute to kill all disease-causing organisms. Water can also be boiled in a microwave oven using a microwave-safe container but it is advisable to include a glass rod or wooden or plastic stir stick in the container to prevent the formation of superheated water (water heated above its boiling point, without the formation of steam). Discard all ice made previously and disinfect the ice cube trays. Make new ice using boiled, cooled water. Use tap water for: • Washing clothes (unless the water is cloudy); • Taking showers (for adults and older children); • Shaving; • Hand Washing; and • Flushing toilets Use boiled water for: • Drinking; • Brushing teeth; • Washing fruits and vegetables; • Preparing food and baby formula; • Making ice; • Coffee makers; • Sponge bathing babies and young children (after cooling); and • Giving water to pets. Do not use: • Kitchen and other household water filters; • Ice makers and soda dispensers with a line to the water supply; and • Children’s water play such as wading pools and water tables. How do I safely prepare my baby’s formula during the Boil Water Advisory? Sterilize all bottles, rings, utensils and nipples in boiling water for two minutes. The water mixed with the formula should boil at a rolling boil for at least two minutes, this will sterilize the mixture. Source: Health Canada – “Preparing and Handling Powdered Infant Formula”, 2010 http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/…/pif-ppn-recommandations-eng.php. This is the citation for the 2-minutes guideline as it relates to formula prep. Can I shower or take a bath? Adults and teens may shower or take a bath with untreated water as long as no water is swallowed. Older children could also be given a shower with a hand held showerhead, avoiding the face. Younger children should be sponge-bathed instead of bathing in a tub because they are likely to swallow tub water. Can I use the water for hand washing? If the boil water advisory has not been issued due to an outbreak of human illness, there is no need for additional hand disinfection. If the boil water advisory has been issued because of an outbreak, water can be used for hand washing after the following emergency water treatment: Place 1.5 ounces (about 45 millilitres) liquid household bleach in 10 gallons (45 litres) of water. Mix and let stand for at least 10 minutes prior to use. How else can I disinfect my hands? You can use alcohol-based hand disinfectants, containing more than 60% alcohol. These products are widely used in the health care setting after washing hands or in situations when water is not available. The pre-moistened wipes used for cleaning babies at a diaper change are not effective for disinfecting hands and should not be used for this purpose. My child was ill with diarrhea. Should I clean and disinfect toys? Yes, toys should be cleaned and disinfected. If the toys are visibly soiled, wash them first with soap and water and then disinfect with a freshly prepared bleach solution [1/4 cup (about 60 ml) bleach in to 1 gallon (4.5 litres) of water]. Dip toys in to this solution and air-dry them. Cloth and plush toys could be washed or dry-cleaned. I have a dishwasher. Is it safe to use? If your dishwasher has a “sanitize” setting, it safely disinfects dishes. If your dishwasher does not have a “sanitize” setting, after finishing the cycle, soak dishes for 1 minute in a solution of 1oz (30 ml) of bleach mixed with 3 gallons of lukewarm water (13.5 litres). Let dishes air dry. I wash dishes by hand. How do I disinfect them? You could use boiled water for washing dishes. Dishes washed in soap and hot water can also be rinsed in boiled water or disinfected with the following bleach solution. Mix 1 ounce (about 30 ml) bleach in to three gallons (13.5 litres) of water at room temperature for at least one minute. Let dishes air dry. Should I change the way I am doing laundry? No, continue doing laundry the way you usually do. If you have to launder sheets heavily soiled with feces, carefully remove any soil before you place the sheets into the washer, without much agitation of the cloth. Use rubber gloves when handling heavily soiled sheets. Is the water safe to fill wading pools for children? No, the water is not safe to use in wading pools. Water usually gets into the mouths of small children, providing a possibility for infection. I have a water filtration device installed. Does this make the water safe for drinking or cooking? No. Filtered water should also be brought to a rolling boil for one minute before drinking or using it for cooking. My doctor told me I am immunocompromised. What should I do? Always follow your physician’s and dietician’s advice. You might be advised to use bottled water or to boil water for drinking and cooking, even in the absence of a boil water order. What should I do after the boil water advisory is lifted? Run cold water faucets for one minute before using the water. Run drinking fountains for one minute before using the water. Flush all garden hoses by running cold water through them for one minute. Run water softeners through a regeneration cycle. Drain and refill hot water heaters set below 45°Celsius (normal setting is 60°Celsius). For any additional questions please contact: 27 Canadian Forces Health Services Centre Goose Bay Medical reception: 709-896-7222 |