As you are aware, this morning, the City of Barrie reported a water main break affecting the Yonge and Big Bay Point area of Barrie.

Through consultation with the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit (SMDHU) it was determined that four schools in the Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board are located in the affected area. These include:

• St. Peter’s Catholic Secondary School

• St. Gabriel the Archangel Catholic School

• St. John Paul II Catholic School

• St. Michael the Archangel Catholic School

Public Health Inspectors from the SMDHU contacted each of these schools by phone to advise of the following:

• A boil water advisory is in effect, until further notice. This means that all drinking water must be boiled or that bottled water must be used for drinking.

• As a result, schools have been asked to decommission any drinking fountains or water hydration stations (e.g. by putting a bag over them to prevent use).

• Schools have also been asked to discontinue any food preparation or cafeteria services while the boil water advisory is in effect.

• Water remains turned on in the schools for toileting and for hand washing. The use of alcohol based hand rubs has also been encouraged.

The SMDHU also contacted child care operators that operate within the schools (including before and after programs) in the affected area.

The health unit continues to work in collaboration with the City of Barrie to communicate to residents affected by this issue. Updates will be shared with local media and posted on the City of Barrie Facebook and Twitter accounts and www.barrie.ca/WaterServices.