A town just outside the nation’s capital is without potable water, in the midst of a drinking water advisory that will continue until Friday, at least.

Arnprior, located 60 km west of Ottawa, is home to 10,000 residents. The entire town has been advised not to drink, bathe or cook with tap water even if it’s been boiled or chlorinated.

The directive comes after a 30-minute pressure loss that could have potentially contaminated the supply. On Wednesday at 8:45 a.m., an “unexpected loss of pressure occurred†during routine water main maintenance work, according to a .

“It’s going to take a little bit of investigating, it is a very complex water network,†said Michael Wildman, Arnprior’s chief administrative officer at a press conference Wednesday.  “At this time we don’t know.â€

Shortly after the town sent tests to its county health unit, a water boil advisory was issued. It has been upgraded to a drinking water advisory that will remain in place until at least August 12 at 5 p.m. when test results come in.

"It's scary," local resident, Lori Robbilard . "Because there are, what, 10,000 people in this town that are going to need water daily."

For now, the only water Arnprior residents are advised to drink is bottled water. The town has a supply of bottled water ready for residents at the Nick Smith Centre. Anyone who can't make it to the centre can call Town Hall at 613-623-4231 to arrange delivery.

Bottled water has sold out even after some stores received emergency shipments.

Other businesses, including laundromats, hairdressers and restaurants, have been ordered to close.

"Health comes first for everybody, right?" Kris Gordon, co-owner of the local Milano's Pizza, told Â鶹´«Ã½ Wednesday. "So there's no way we can provide anybody with food right now."

The drinking water advisory is a precautionary measure, but any residents who are feeling unwell are asked to contact the county health unit at 1-800-267-1097. Symptoms include diarrhea, stomach cramps, vomiting and nausea.