Excerpt from http://www.gvrd.bc.ca/media/2006/2006-11-16-Media-ReleaseResidentsAdvisedWaterQuality.pdf
The GVRD Medical Health Officers are advising that “the turbidity of the drinking water supplied to homes through the water distribution system has reached levels unprecedented in recent years. As turbidity increases, there is a potential for increased risk of gastro-intestinal illness. Until turbidity returns to acceptable levels residents may wish to use an alternate drinking water source (for example: bottled water) or boil their drinking water.
Discolouration of drinking water is a very good indicator of high levels of turbidity. If using boiled water use a kettle and ensure that you allow it to cool before decanting to another container or moving it to the refrigerator.
TAP WATER IS ACCEPTABLE FOR USES OTHER THAN DRINKING, BRUSHING TEETH OR WASHING FRUITS AND VEGETABLES.
GVRD Staff will continue to monitor water quality closely. This advisory will remain in effect until the Medical Health Officer is satisfied that drinking water quality has returned to an acceptable standard.”
UPDATE: How to use water safely during a boil water advisory – http://www.vch.ca/public/docs/boiling_water.pdf [Added November 17th 9:25 am]
