The Ministry of Health & Wellness is advising members of the public and the business community to be vigilant when receiving potable water.
In a statement, the ministry said water supplied to citizens and the business community should be from the National Water Commission (NWC) or a source approved by the ministry. The list of approved sources can be obtained from the respective parish health departments.
Chief Medical Officer Dr Jacquiline Bisasor-McKenzie noted that “before water is received, consumers should observe whether the vehicle, including the water holding containers, hose and fittings, are clean”.
Added Bisasor-McKenzie, “Consumers should also ensure that the water is not discoloured and that there is no odour or foreign matter in the water. Commercial entities, where possible, should do additional quality checks.”
If the quality of the water is in doubt, the ministry advises consumers to treat the water by boiling or adding bleach.
“Water should be heated until it comes to a ‘rolling boi’ (where large bubbles continuously coming to the surface of the water), which should be maintained for one minute,” the ministry statement read.
Consumers may also add three per cent or five per cent household bleach, not bulk bleach, to treat drinking water.
At the same time, the ministry said it would be monitoring food establishments and institutions to ensure they purchase water from approved haulers, and that persons are reminded that all entities supplying potable water should be licensed to do so.
