A boil water advisory has been issued for the New Waterford, N.S., water system after a single water sample showed signs of poor water quality, according to a news release from the Cape Breton Regional Municipality Water Utility.

The news release did not state what was wrong with the water quality or how many homes would be impacted by the advisory.

The advisory is in place for the communities of New Waterford, Scotchtown, River Ryan, New Victoria and Lingan.

Residents are being asked to boil their water for at least one minute before drinking or consuming the water in any way.

That includes:

Preparing infant formula

Mixing juices

Making ice cubes

Washing fruits and vegetables

Dental hygiene

The advisory will remain in place until the utility gets two clear water samples from the same source over a two day period. The earliest the advisory could be lifted is Monday afternoon.

The utility said it closely monitoring the situation and is continuing to test water throughout the distribution system.