WARNING! watch out for the cranky people!

so in case you've been hibernating for the past 24 hours, most people in the greater vancouver area already know about the boil water advisory. what most people don't think about is their local coffee shop or restaurant that they frequent. starbucks has stopped serving hot beverages, or anything with ice in it. they're warning customers that they don't have the proper filtering system to clean the water, and their water/milk doesn't reach the boiling point for long enough to meet the minimum requirements.

some tim horton's have also followed suit, and might not be serving their regular deli food, since the veggies now have to be washed with clean water. this also affects fountain beverages. depending on what newslink you follow, different warnings are being advised. i read somewhere this a.m., that now fruits and vegetables need to be washed with bottled water. brushing your teeth is also following this same "rule".

BE SAFE OUT THERE!

Coffee shops and restaurants affected by boil water advisory
November 17, 2006 - 7:15 am By: News1130 Staff

VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) - For most of us, it's just a hassle but for coffee drinkers this morning, it's almost like the end of the world. At the Broadway Tim Horton's, coffee, tea, fountain pop and sandwiches aren't being served because of the GVRD boil water advisory. There is a sign posted on the front door to warn people about the contaminated water problem but it's still catching people off guard. Many people didn't know there was an advisory and they're upset they can't get their morning cup of coffee.

Bottled and canned drinks are the only beverages being sold at many Tim Horton's locations. However, there are reports some locations are using bottled water for their brews.
Dr. Patricia Daly, Medical Health Officer with Vancouver Coastal Health says high levels of turbidity is the reason why people should only be drinking bottled water or water that has been boiled for a full minute. The torrential downpours have led to this unprecedented advisory. Contaminated water may cause stomach illnesses.

Collette O'Reilly, the Manager of Health and Safety with the Vancouver School Board, is asking parents to send their children to school today with bottled water and drinks. She says school drinking fountains have signs posted on them saying 'do not drink.'

Keep in mind water filters won't work and it's best to avoid all tap water if you can, even if it looks clear. The advisory does not pertain to those in the Fraser Valley communities like Abbotsford, Mission, and Chilliwack.