Boil-water advisory to remain in place until further notice, Halifax Water says
Advisory will lift when Nova Scotia Environment and Climate Change is satisfied with test results
Halifax Water says its boil-water advisory that came into effect on Tuesday morning will remain in place until further notice.
"Staff are analyzing and adjusting distribution operations, performing strategic flushing, and conducting ongoing sampling and monitoring of water quality across the system," the water utility said in an update on Wednesday afternoon.
"These results and information are reported to Nova Scotia Environment and Climate Change (NSECC). The boil water advisory will be lifted by NSECC when they are satisfied with the results."
Halifax Water said it will provide further updates on Thursday.
The utility told CBC News the issue was caused by a planned Nova Scotia Power outage in the Hammonds Plains area Monday around 10:30 p.m. AT.
Affected areas
Water continued to be treated, but lacked chlorine disinfection for approximately 30 minutes. The interruption allowed a limited amount of unchlorinated water to enter the system.
The advisory applies to areas serviced by the Pockwock Lake Drinking Water Treatment Facility. That accounts for more than 200,000 customers.
Those areas includes Beaver Bank, Middle and Lower Sackville, Upper Hammonds Plains, Bedford, Fall River, Windsor Junction, Halifax, Timberlea, Spryfield, Waverley and Herring Cove.
Halifax Water said the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board has requested an investigation report to be filed by Feb. 4.
The report will include a review of what happened and recommendations to make sure it doesn't happen again. It will be shared with the province, the Halifax Water Board of Commissioners and Halifax regional council.
Halifax Water apologizes
"The leadership and staff of Halifax Water understand the impact this is having on people's lives and that our customers are frustrated," the utility said.
"We are committed to taking every precaution to ensure the safety of our customers' drinking water. This is a significant event, and we apologize and remained committed to improving service to our customers."
Businesses and health-care continued to be impacted by the boil advisory on Wednesday.
Tart and Soul, a cafe on Coburg Road in Halifax, had a couple of 18-litre containers of pre-boiled water ready after dealing with a two-day boil order in July. Even with that precaution in place, the cafe's co-owner said the business is taking a significant hit in income.
"I would say anywhere from $500 to $700, maybe up to $1,000 [a day]. We just had a really busy rush and we either [had to] say no to drinks or sell people drip coffees instead of lattes, which is probably like a $3- to $4-price difference per drink," Saf Haq told CBC News.
Nova Scotia Health confirmed 220 non-urgent procedures had to be rescheduled.
Herman Pierro drove from Cape Breton to Halifax for lung cancer surgery. It's been delayed until Friday at the earliest.
"It's sad to say we have to put it off for a few more days, but it's all in God's plan. There's nothing we could do," Christine Pierro, Herman's wife, told CBC News.
Halifax Water recommends customers that water can still be used, but it should be boiled for at least one minute before:
- Drinking.
- Preparing infant formula.
- Making ice cubes or juices.
- Washing fruits or vegetables.
- Cooking.
- Brushing teeth.
- Any activity requiring human consumption.
Halifax Water said people should be careful not to swallow water when bathing or showering. It said to use caution when bathing infants or children.
"Consider giving [infants and children] a sponge bath to reduce the chance of them swallowing water," Halifax Water recommended in a boil-water advisory information page.
Halifax Water said pets should also be given water that has been boiled as they can get some of the same diseases as people.
With files from Celina Aalders, Kayla Hounsell
