Chapleau residents are being warned against consuming the water - but there is an option to get some usable water.
While the Township says a drinking water advisory remains in effect, it has received permission to distribute potable water to residents who attend the Water Treatment Plant with their own containers, with supervised watering stations open from 8 am to 6 pm today, and from 9 am to noon tomorrow - residents are reminded to adhere to public health guidelines for COVID-19.
The advisory was issued Wednesday night, after the distribution system lost pressure because of equipment failure at the plant - pressure's since been restored, but Public Health Sudbury and Districts warns the loss "created conditions that compromised the safety of the drinking water".
It won't be lifted until after testing of two water samples taken 24 hours apart - the health unit will then review the results and decide whether to lift the advisory.
Until then, residents are reminded not to use the water for human consumption, such as: brushing teeth; washing uncooked fruits and vegetables; cooking; drinking; or making juice, infant formula, or ice - not even if it's boiled first, as that still may not make it safe for drinking.
The water can be used for laundry or bathing, but not small children who could swallow it.