Precautionary Boil Water Advisory - City of Quesnel

Northern Health and the City of Quesnel are advising the public of one isolated finding of Cryptosporidium in Well #9 in the Quesnel Water System and have issued a Boil Water Notice (BWN) for the City of Quesnel's water distribution system.

Follow-up testing is underway, and results could take up to six weeks. The boil water notice will remain in effect until the results are known and the City and NH can advise the public on next steps.

Cryptosporidium parvum is a parasite that infects the intestinal tract. Symptoms can include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, mild fever and dehydration. People with poorly functioning immune systems are at risk of more serious illness when they get cryptosporidiosis.

The targeted precautionary BWN (Boil Water Notice) is for the people with weakened immune systems, young children and the elderly.

Until further notice, these people are advised to consider boiling any water that will be used for human consumption (drinking, cooking, brushing teeth) for at least two minutes. Showering and bathing is fine as long as no water is swallowed. Water from the City's bulk water station, which provides water for many residents not on the City's water system, is included in the notice.

Well #9 is one of six wells providing water to the Quesnel water system. The positive sample was the result of extensive, proactive sampling the City was doing on its wells to further evaluate the water system. These tests were over and above the testing the City does on a regular basis to ensure water safety.

The risk of Cryptosporidium has been and remains low in Quesnel.

Northern Health also advises rigorous hand-washing for residents on the City of Quesnel water system, and generally as one of the best ways to keep from getting sick.

UPDATE - From the Rush:

Northern Health and the City of Quesnel have issued a precautionary boil water notice.

The advisory follows an isolated finding of cryptosporidium in well 9 in the Quesnel water system during extensive, proactive sampling the City was doing on its wells to further evaluate the water system.

Cryptosporidium is a parasite that can infect the intestinal tract.

Symptoms can include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, mild fever and dehydration.

Matt Wood, the City’s Director of Communications, cautions however that the risk remains low and that only young children or older people need to take precautions.

Wood says they are now going through the re-testing process which, because it requires specialized testing and time for lab processing, could take up to 6 weeks to complete.

The advisory will remain in place until that is completed.