People in the southwest Ontario city of Stratford are being warned not to drink their tap water or even wash themselves with it.
Health officials issued the advisory at noon Monday after the city's water distribution system became contaminated by potentially dangerous chemicals.
The contamination is believed to be the result of a spill of detergents and waxes at a car wash in the city.
Provincial Environment Minister Leona Dombrowsky said authorities were tipped off when someone called them to say the tap water looked suspicious. She said ministry officials are investigating, along with staff from the local public utility and the region's health unit.
Meanwhile, officials are also asking pet owners to keep their animals away from the water.
Schools shut off the taps to keep students from using the water, while people snapped up up bottled water from local stores.
The city is bringing water in by tanker and running stations to supply water to households.
Source: Canadian Broadcasting Corp.
