UPDATE: Sainte-Justine Hospital drinking ban lifted

MONTREAL – The drinking ban at Sainte-Justine Hospital has been lifted.

This comes after an employee noticed mysterious black particles floating in the tap water on Monday.

“We put into place a contingency plan throughout the hospital,” said Dr. Marc Girard, the Director of Medical Affairs for Sainte-Justine Hospital.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "We put into place a contingency plan throughout the hospital," said Dr. Marc Girard, the Director of Medical Affairs for Sainte-Justine Hospital.

After the ban was introduced, the hospital installed 50 filters on faucets throughout the building and distributed bottled water to its staff and patients.

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The City of Montreal, Université de Montréal and the hospital’s own microbiology labs tested the water, ruling out toxins, metals, fecal matter and organic materials.

In the meantime, children and newborns were being bathed with filtered water.

Some units in the hospital always use sterilized-only water on patients, including the neo-natal units, surgical and intensive care.

The hospital doesn’t believe major construction work on its building was to blame.