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Ministry of health says treat water before domestic use

Contact: Ministry of Health

Thursday 11 November 2010 –  The Ministry of Health, Wellness, Family Affairs, National Mobilization, Human Services and Gender Relations is cognizant of the shortage of pipe borne water due to the devastating effects of hurricane Tomas and as a result advices the public to treat non-purified water before domestic use.

The Ministry of Health recognizes that while many persons now have few alternative water sources, it is important that safety becomes the main concern.  The use of untreated water for drinking and food preparation can lead to serious illnesses such as gastroenteritis (vomiting and diarrhoea).

The public is advised that every effort should be made to use water from the municipal system wherever possible; and harvest rain water in an effort to minimize access of water from springs and rivers.

In order to minimize a water related epidemic the following precautions are advised:

§         Boil all water to be used for drinking, making juice or washing uncooked foods especially vegetables for at least five minutes;

§         Water can also be chlorinated using eight to ten drops of ordinary household grade unscented and non-coloured bleach per gallon of water or one teaspoon per five gallon bucket of water.  Wait twenty-four hours for the chlorine to take effect before use.

§         Use only well sanitized containers for water storage

§         Keep the water storage container covered and away from children and animals at all times

§         Draw water from containers in a hygienic manner – pour rather than dipping other vessels into water container.

The Ministry of Health is also taking steps to monitor and prevent water-borne illnesses.  In its quest to achieve this, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is providing assistance to the Ministry of Health. As part of the assistance programme PAHO has promised to dispatch a supply of water purification tablets which will be distributed island wide.

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