Havre residents under water boiling advisory

Distributed by Havre Public Works Department

Boil Water Advisory

Disease-causing organisms have been linked to the City of Havre public water supply

BOIL YOUR WATER BEFORE USING

Individuals recently sickened with giardiasis have been reported to public health officials. Giardiasis, a diarrheal disease illness caused by a waterborne parasite Giardia, is not common among Hill County residents. Investigation of these illnesses by public health officials determined that the illnesses may be associated with the City of Havre water supply, which has been on a health advisory since March 4, 2024. The City of Havre learned of the waterborne disease outbreak from Hill County Health Department on April 12, 2024. In an abundance of caution this Boil Water Advisory has been issued by the City of Havre. General guidelines on ways to lessen the risk of infection by microbes are available from EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1 (800) 426-4791.

• What should I do? What does this mean?

• DO NOT DRINK THE WATER WITHOUT BOILING IT FIRST. Bring all water to a boil for at least one minute, and cool before using, or use bottled water of your preference. Boiled or bottled water is advised to be used for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes, and food preparation until further notice. Boiling kills bacteria and other organisms in the water provided by a public water supply.

• Giardia infection may be acquired without producing any symptoms, and this is often the case for children. In symptomatic patients, acute diarrhea is the predominate symptom. In some instances, diarrhea may be transient and mild, passing without notice; in others diarrhea can be chronic.

• Other symptoms may include abdominal cramps, bloating, flatulence, steatorrhea (daily losses of fat in feces greater than 7 grams), weight loss, and occasional vomiting. Stools may be pale in color, greasy, and malodorous/foul-smelling. Weight loss may be significant. In some patients, symptoms may last for only 3 or 4 days, while for other patients, symptoms may last for months or years if untreated. If you experience one or more of these symptoms, contact your health care provider as soon as possible.

• If you have a severely compromised immune system, have an infant, are pregnant, or are elderly, you may be at increased risk and should seek advice from your health care providers about precautions and methods to reduce health risks with any drinking water.

• What is being done?

Increased disinfection of drinking water and flushing to reduce the likeliness of pathogens throughout the distribution system are measures being taken by the City of Havre public water supply. The City of Havre and the Hill County Health Department will notify you when the Montana DEQ determines that the Havre public water supply has demonstrated consistent treatment that is meeting all water treatment requirements per DEQ Surface Water Treatment Regulation and has rescinded this boil water advisory.

General guidelines on ways to lessen the risk of infection by microbes are available from EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1 (800) 426-4791 for those who wish to seek further information beyond this boil advisory notice.