Whale Cove, Nunavut, under boil water advisory

Whale Cove, Nunavut, is under a boil water advisory after bacteria were found in the drinking water supply.

The department of Health says tests have foundunacceptable levels of totalcoliformbacteria, a common form of bacteria that is used to indicate whether a water supply "may be vulnerable to contamination by more harmful microorganisms," according to this fact sheet from New Brunswick's health department.

The Nunavut government says the advisory is a precaution. It isworking with the department of Community and Government Services to test the water and find out how the bacteria got into the system.

Residents should bring water to a rolling boil for a full minute before drinking it, using it to prepare food, baby formula or ice, or for brushing teeth.