'Stockpile' water now: Prince Albert may close treatment plant over oil spill

People in Prince Albert, Sask., are being told to stockpile as much water as they can in anticipation of the closure of the city's water treatment plant.

Officials say oil on the North Saskatchewan River could reach their plant's intake system on Sunday.

"The City of Prince Albert is advising residents to stock up a water supply in their homes over the next 24 hours by filling bathtubs, water jugs, etc.," the city said in a statement Friday.

The city said it was "highly likely" they will close the water treatment plant's intake from the North Saskatchewan River on Sunday, as a precautionary measure.

The move is related to a plume from an upstream oil spill. Husky Energy reported a pipeline leak Thursday that led to some 200,000 litres of heavy oil and a product called diluent entering the river.

Officials with the city said Prince Albert's reservoirs will be filled to capacity with potable water until a shut down is necessary. That will provide potable water for two days.

They said a contingency plan was being formulated if a longer interruption of the water supply was necessary.

The city added that the Kinsmen Water Park and the city's spray parks will be temporarily closed over the weekend, as part of the effort to conserve water.

Irrigation at the Cooke Municipal Golf Course and various other parks in the city will also be suspended.