The City of Moose Jaw issued a precautionary drinking water advisory for a large portion of southeast Moose Jaw on Thursday, and that advisory is expected to stay in place for the near future.

The problem started when crews working on the 1st Avenue Bridge reconstruction project had to do some work on the East Feeder Line, which caused the line to depressurize. When something like that occurs, there's no guarantee of water quality and so a water advisory is issued.

A large area of southeast Moose Jaw is under the advisory including Home Street East, Lillooet Street East, Iroquois Street East, Elsom Street East, Maple Street East, Coteau Street from 1st to 9th Avenue South East, Dufferin Avenue, 7th Avenue from Victoria Street to Coteau Street, Victoria Street from Dufferin to 7th Avenue, as well as the Pasqua Water users.

City of Moose Jaw Communications Manager Craig Hemingway believes they could have more information next week.

"It's still in effect until we get test results back from the provincial lab and we hope for those as soon as possible but with the long weekend, it's hard to say when that will happen but it should be the start of next week."

Until water can be confirmed safe to use, residents need to follow the guidelines issued by the city;
(a) boil all water, used for drinking purposes, for at least one (1) minute, at a rolling boil, prior to use;
(b) boil water to be used for other activities where it may be ingested, including:
(i) brushing teeth or soaking false teeth;
(ii) washing fruits and vegetables;
(iii) food or drink which will not be subsequently heated; and
(iv) ice cubes;
(c) not use the water for washing dishes, unless the water has been boiled or the dishes are sanitized in another fashion. Washed dishes and utensils can be soaked in a bleach water solution (approximately 2 tablespoons of bleach per gallon or 10 ml of bleach per litre of water) for at least two minutes after being washed to kill any bacteria which may be present.
Note: Do not mix bleach with soaps or detergents.
(d) not drink from any public drinking fountains supplied with water from the public water supply;
(e) ensure that younger children and infants are sponge bathed;
(f) use an alternative water source known to be safe, if they do not wish to boil the water; and
(g) consult with your physician if you have cuts or rashes that are severe before using the water.
Under most circumstances, there is no need to boil water used for other household purposes. Adults, adolescents and older children may shower, bathe or wash using tap water but should avoid swallowing the water. Laundry may be washed in tap water, either by hand or by machine.