Recent water supply malfunctions have caused the residents of Bredenbury and Churchbridge to be aware of their water supply.
Churchbridge
The Town of Churchbridge explained the news of their electrical issue the statement below:
Shortly after 6 P.M. last Wednesday, December 6 an electrical issue at Churchbridge’s Water Treatment Plant resulted in the loss of the town’s main distribution pump, leaving the town without water.
Immediately, Town Foreman Don Wright was on site and determined the problem. Town Councillors Russ Thies, Jim Gallant and Nick Thies were soon in the plant and with their combined knowledge and experience water service to the town was restored approximately two hours after it had been disrupted.
In the meantime the Saskatchewan Water Security Agency, as required, had been notified of the disruption and a Precautionary Drinking Water Advisory (PDWA) was issued. Churchbridge’s Interim Administrator Debra Shaw and Assistant Administrator Tasha Hykawy printed and organized for distribution PDWA notices for all town residents which Councillors Terissa James, Tracy Swereda, Nick Thies and Mayor Bill Johnston (with the help of his grandkids) distributed door to door to a majority of the town that evening. However, because of the late time and risks of walking on icy streets and driveways in the dark the final distribution was postponed. The next morning, Public Works Department’s Hunter Yanke and Lions Club volunteer, Bob Bjarnason, delivered the notices to the final areas of the town.
Water samples were taken over the weekend and couriered to the provincial lab in Regina for testing early this week.
Bredenbury
On Thursday, December 7th a water break was announced on Sunnyside in Bredenbury. The water break was contained, and only affected Sunnyside. Boil water advisories were sent out on the 7th for 1st Ave., 2nd Ave., 3rd Ave., High Street and the 300 block of Broadway Ave.
The message from the Water Security Agency (WSA) stated that the Precautionary Drinking Water Advisory (PDWA) was due to a water main break in which areas of the town had to be isolated and depressurized in order to complete the repair and therefore the safety of Bredenbury’s drinking water supply (portion) cannot be ensured at all times.
The advisory recommended consumers boil all water used for drinking purposes, for at least one minute, at a rolling boil prior to use. Boiled water should be used for any purpose where water may be ingested, such as brushing teeth, soaking false teeth, washing fruits and vegetables, food or drink which will not be subsequently heated and for ice cubes.
The advisory also mentioned the water should not be used for washing dishes unless the water has been boiled or the dishes are sanitised in another fashion (such as bleach).
Drinking fountains or public water supplies were not recommended, and young children/infants should be sponge bathed.
Adults, adolescents and other children may shower, bathe or wash using tap water but they should avoid swallowing the water.
Due to the water main break, the Town of Bredenbury mentioned that water would be turned off to Sunnyside if the reservoir can’t keep up with the rest of the town.
On December 8th, a second PDWA was sent to the town to include the remaining areas of Bredenbury not covered under the first advisory.
The PDWA can be rescinded by the WSA once the 1) water main repair has been completed, and all related appurtenances have been disinfected and flushed according to applicable standards. 2) The water system needs to be pressurized and flushed according to standards. 3) Finally, two consecutive sets of three (6 in total) bacteriological samples, collected 24 hours apart from locations within the affected area must be analyzed and found to be negative of bacteriological presence.
The Town of Bredenbury announced that on Friday, December 8th the water break was fixed and they will implement a text message service for alerts (receive only) to anyone who signs up with their cell phone.
The first set of water samples were sent to Regina on December 11th and the second set was sent in on Tuesday.
The Public Drinking Water Advisories were rescinded in Churchbridge on December 13th and in Bredenbury on December 14th.