The Health Ministry is urging residents and businesses in the Marescaux road area and surrounding communities around South Camp Road, the vicinity of the Kingston Public Hospital and all other areas of downtown Kingston to make their water safe before drinking or using to prepare food or wash vegetables and fruits.

Director of emergency, disaster management and special services, Dr Marion Bullock DuCasse, says tests conducted by the Kingston and St Andrew Health Department reveal that the level of chlorine in the National Water Commission supplies to those areas is insufficient which may cause bacteria to thrive.

"Persons are being urged to boil their water or add bleach to ensure that it is safe for consumption," she cautioned.

Water can be made safe by adding two drops of bleach per litre or a quart or by boiling, making sure that it boils up for at least a minute.