Listen to daily commentary from program director Murray Wood
Many people view Monday's election as one of the most important in Canada's history. Murray Wood breaks down the race an...
Around 400 properties in Sutherland are under a precautionary boil-water advisory for at least the next 48 hours.
The advisory was put in place by the Water Security Agency and the Saskatchewan Health Authority following two water main breaks Monday night.
Since the breaks, the city has restored water to all properties, but there could be some localized water outages as crews deal with the issues.
The city started flushing out the water systems Tuesday morning, and it could carry into Wednesday because of the size of the affected area. After crews flush the water systems, testing could take another 48 to 72 hours to confirm the quality level of the water.
Properties that are affected by the boil-water advisory were issued yellow door hangers from the city, along with a white letter from the Water Security Agency detailing what precautions to take.
Once the advisory is lifted, a green door hanger advisory will be handed out to every property affected.
The @cityofsaskatoon’s Acting Director of Waste and Water, Trent Schmidt is addressing the around 400 properties in Sutherland in a boil water advisory after two water main breaks.
This was issued by the Water Security Agency and Saskatchewan Health Authority. #yxe pic.twitter.com/sr4JWURCJR
— brady lang (@BradyLangSK) February 4, 2020
Trent Schmidt, the city’s acting director of water and waste operations, addressed the boil-water advisory at City Hall on Tuesday morning.
He said the two water main breaks happened on 102nd Street West at O’Neil Crescent and on Packham Avenue.
“This is the time of year when frost gets closer to the depth of our water pipes, and we can notice an increase in breaks,” Schmidt said.
Although this water main break is affecting around 400 properties, Schmidt said city water main breaks have been down historically this year.
“To the end of last week, we had 21 water main breaks and if you’re looking at our longer-term averages for (comparison), the 25-year average is about 30 breaks in the same period,” he said. “The five-year average is about 24, so we’re a little bit below average.”
Schmidt said 2018 was one of the city’s worst for water main breaks. Thirty-seven water main breaks occurred by this time that year.
He couldn’t link the two water main breaks as related but did say a pressure surge could have nearby effects on water lines.
Precautions to take with your water
There are a few precautions that need to be taken during a drinking water advisory.
All water that is ingested must be boiled for at least one minute, at a rolling boil.
Residents will also have to boil their water before brushing teeth, washing dishes, washing fruits and vegetables, preparing food or drink that won’t be subsequently heated, and making ice cubes.
Any public water fountains that are supplied with water from the public supply agency is not to be ingested.
Showering or bathing is allowed during the advisory, but the water is not safe to drink while you’re sanitizing.
Laundry can be washed in tap water, either by hand or machine.
Residents who have cuts or rashes that are severe should consult with their physicians before using the water.
