In response to municipal water quality complaints last week, the Operations Dept. investigated and discovered a significant legacy infrastructure problem in a section of water distribution in the vicinity of 26th Avenue between 22nd Street and HWY 533. Efforts continue to tackle this problem while Alberta Environment works with us and monitors testing and overall progress.
CAUSE AND TIMELINE
The cause of the problem are some very old pieces of buried legacy infrastructure that need to be located, excavated and extracted from the distribution system. Flushing of the lines would normally resolve an issue like what was initially reported, but all this is doing is temporarily resolving the problem for a few days. The repair is therefore costly, involving multiple locations and some contractor support – it may take longer than the Town and residents would like. It is not an issue emanating from the reservoir or water treatment plant, but a previously unknown remnant of the water distribution system that existed prior to the current one.
IS A BOIL WATER ADVISORY IN PLACE?
Not at this time. It has been discussed several times with Alberta Environment, whose officers advise Alberta Health, the entity that has authority to impose Boil Water Advisories. They attended the site in person on August 31st. While there have been some challenges with chlorine residuals to a few homes in the impacted area, regular flushing of the lines is working to maintain safe drinking water. An advisory has not therefore been imposed at this time, but this is always subject to change. The Town recommends that, if you are in the affected area and have significant concerns, to err on the side of caution and not drink the water until you have contacted the Manager of Operations and advised him of what you are observing.
COSTS OF LINE FLUSHING PAST METERS
On a few occasions, the Town is flushing lines with residential metered water. Bills for those properties, if substantively impacted, will be adjusted under the Utility Bill Leniency provisions, calculated on past use averages. Please contact us for more information if required.
PLEASE REPORT SERIOUS PROBLEMS OR CONCERNS – 403-646-2902
If you ever have serious water quality concerns, please contact the Manager of Operations, Barry Sturrock. The Operations Department will assess if the problem is municipal or domestic in nature.