Residents of the Tache reserve near Fort St. James are being advised to boil their water due to the presence of e-coli bacteria in the community's drinking water supply, Health Canada officials have confirmed.
But there were no indications to date of an e-coli outbreak among community members, officials added in a statement issued late Thursday.
"Fort St. James doctors and Tache nurses are alerted to watch for any increased cases of stomach upset and diarrhea that might be water-related," officials said.
"Once a thorough investigation has been completed and the water system is completely disinfected, further tests will be completed.
"When three tests in a row -- on three different days -- indicate that there are no bacteria in the water system, the boil water advisory will be lifted.
"Community members will be notified with door-to-door notices once the water is safe again."
Environmental Health Officers from Health Canada's First Nations and Inuit Health program are keeping in close and regular contact with Tache community officials and the reserve's chief and council have made solving the problem an immediate priority, officials added.
