The Town of Carman is under a boil water advisory as of Tuesday morning.

Carman/Dufferin Director of Public Safety Ben Vanderzwaag says, "the boil water advisory was put in effect due to the turbidity levels in our water being just a little bit too high, and this was due to the condition of the water in the Boyne River right now."

He says the spring melt and run-off has made it difficult to treat the river, but the town expects conditions to improve as water levels increase and spring run-offs decrease.

"We're also expecting a fairly substantial flush towards the end of the week with the Boyne River based on the fact that the water is now coming over the dam at the Stephenfield Provincial Park. So we should see significant water levels rising in the Boyne River over the next few days and that will help to improve the condition of the water and hopefully make it treatable. We anticipate [that] hopefully within the next week or so that we'll be able to remove the boil water advisory," adds Vanderzwaag.

He notes they didn't expect a boil water advisory to be issued, but they did notice the change of turbidity levels yesterday. This led them to slowing down the water plant and increasing the flow from the Pembina Valley Water Co-op into the system.

"But their system will not be able to fully maintain the town of Carman so that's why we've asked for a decrease in water consumption," says Vanderzwaag adding, the town still encourages a decrease in water consumption throughout the duration of the boil water advisory.

"At this point water is still very safe for showering, dishes, doing laundry, stuff like that. Just at this point for consumption, for cooking, and or drinking, it is advised to boil your water."

As well, due to rising water levels and ice breaking up on the river, residents are advised to stay off and away from the ice to prevent falling through.