The Saskatchewan Water Security Agency says the entire city of North Battleford is under a boil-water advisory.

The agency says the advisory is due to a “process error” at the city’s water treatment plant.

The advisory says all drinking water, as well as water used for dishwashing, washing fruit and vegetables and brushing teeth must be brought to a roiling boil for one minute.

On Wednesday, a City of North Battleford representative said the advisory is a precautionary measure that’s come after partially treated water mixed with clean water for about six minutes.

While officials believe the water did not actually leave the treatment plant, the safety of it needs to be proven through tests.

The Water Security Agency will monitor the situation.

More than 7,000 North Battleford residents became sick in 2001 when a parasite called cryptosporidium entered the water supply during routine maintenance of a chemical filter.

Lab tests confirmed 361 cases of illness; no one died.

(The Canadian Press)