Boil water advisory for city, Dettah and Ndilo
New water treatment plant expected to prevent future problems
Shane Magee
Northern News Services
Wednesday, May 13, 2015
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
A fast runoff of spring melt is being blamed for stirring up dirt in the Yellowknife River that supplies the drinking water supply for the city, Dettah and Ndilo that has prompted a boil water advisory.
Grade 4 and Grade 1 students at Mildred Hall School line up for bottled water on Tuesday morning after a boil water advisory was issued the day before. From left are Ashley Sisson-Carlson, Ocean Taylor-Plante and Shanti Madsen. - Shane Magee/NNSL photo |
Increased turbidity, or cloudiness of the water, was noted in regular testing over the weekend. The advisory from Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Andre Corriveau was issued Monday just before 7 p.m. The advisory to boil water is precautionary and no illnesses have been reported, according to a news release.
"There's no imminent danger to any residents at this time," said Chris Greencorn, the city's director of public works and engineering, following a city council meeting Monday.
He said the increased turbidity is likely due to faster runoff.
Tests at the city's pumphouse showed a level of 10 Nephelometric Turbidity Units (NTU), a measure of cloudiness in the water. The normal level in the summer is two or three NTU, Greencorn said.
"It's probably safe, but we can't guarantee it anymore," Corriveau said when asked what happens if people consume the water.
"When you drink normally, because of the chlorine, we can guarantee you can drink safe water. When the turbidity is high, we can't make that commitment," he said.
Dirt or sand in the water can contain bacteria that the chlorine won't treat, said Corriveau. The advisory will likely be lifted once the NTU level drops to around five, Greencorn said.
Tests on Tuesday morning still showed 10 NTU, he said.
"We'll be monitoring the situation daily. As soon as we can we'll lift the advisory," Corriveau said. Residents were advised to boil the water for at least a minute prior to use for anything, including drinking, preparing food, ice cubes
and dental hygiene. According to the news release, it is not necessary to boil water used for other household purposes. Residents can shower, bathe or wash using tap water, but should avoid swallowing the water.
Brita-type water filters which use activated carbon filters would not be sufficient as they don't disinfect the water.
A manager at Glen's Independent Grocer said there had been no noticeable increase in sales of bottled water Tuesday morning.
Yellowknife Education District No. 1 superintendent Metro Huculak wrote in an e-mail that fountains in district schools would be covered up to prevent them from being used.
Jugs for water coolers were being purchased to supply drinking water in schools.
The last advisory was in June 2004, Corriveau said. It lasted approximately two weeks. The advisory comes just ahead of the city's new $30 million dollar water treatment plant coming online. It's tentatively set to be commissioned in mid-June.
"We're almost ready. The successful implementation and operation of that plant will pretty much ensure that these type of events never happen again," Greencorn said.
