Crews working on the new headworks buildings at the North End Wastewater Treatment Plant in Winnipeg accidentally damaged a watermain last week.
The damage led to major flooding on Main Street and caused a change in the water flow that stirred up existing sediment in water pipes and discoloured water at some household taps.
“A water main was damaged this afternoon around 3 p.m. while crews installed new underground piping at the North End Wastewater Treatment Plant,” Winnipeg officials announced in a series of statements on December 12. “We anticipate it will take several days to determine exactly how the accident occurred.”
The flooding led the major road to close for more than 24 hours.
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Moncton
An aging 16-inch waterline burst earlier this month in Moncton, New Brunswick, leaving thousands of people under a boil water advisory. It’s one of four recent watermain breaks in the city as winter weather arrives.
Repairs are now complete, but a clear set of samples is required two days in a row before the boil order can be lifted. Residents were asked to boil water for at least one minute before using it for drinking, cooking, brushing teeth or washing produce.
More than 10,000 customers were initially affected, including five schools, several restaurants, special-care homes and daycares.
Collingwood
The Town of Collingwood, Ontario, also experienced a major watermain break in December, leading to a boil water advisory. Local officials are required to take water samples once the watermain break has been repaired. These samples will be tested for bacteria and harmful organisms and only when the water quality is acceptable will the boil water advisory be lifted.
“I ask everyone to continue reducing water usage to help conserve supply during this disruption and to avoid the area of Pretty River Parkway and Hume Street, where repair crews are actively working,” Collingwood Mayor Yvonne Hamlin announced in a statement.
After further investigation of the watermain break, local officials confirmed that only specific areas were affected and the boil advisory no longer applied to the entire town.
Hamlin added that the town was working to lift the rest of the order in place.
“Samples were delivered to the lab this morning and are being processed. Even though labs are open and responding quickly, this type of testing takes time. The water samples must be tested for bacteria, which need time to grow so they can be detected. This process takes at least two days to ensure the results are accurate and reliable.”
Bottled water distribution stations were made available for residents in need and those unable to boil water.
The order was fully lifted on December 15.
