One Additional Water Service Leak This Morning, One Remaining Active Watermain Break on 1st Ave East
PRINCE RUPERT, DECEMBER 21st - The Local State of Emergency remains in effect as of Wednesday morning. Although breaks have trended downwards over the past two days, City Emergency and Operations personnel are aware that with conditions warming up, that thawing may shift the ground and cause additional breaks. Regular updates will continue to be provided, and the need to continue the Local State of Emergency will be continuously assessed based on current and emerging conditions.
Since midday yesterday there was one additional water service break this morning, with nine service breaks currently active, and 1 remaining active water main break on 1st Avenue East. We have also now repaired the Crestview break that had required us to reroute our water supply since last Thursday. This is good news for our water reservoir, which is currently at standard capacity with reduced risk to supply thanks to the completion of repairs in the Crestview area. There also a remaining 5 active water service breaks on the homeowner side of infrastructure.
We continue to ask homeowners to run their taps to prevent freezing, and to be patient with City crews on other issues as the current focus is responding to water repairs as well as salting/sanding. Given local conditions, we ask that if you call our Customer Service or After Hours numbers, that you do so ONLY for emergency repairs or service. If you experience a water break City infrastructure in your neighbourhood, evidenced by significantly reduced water pressure and no indication of a break in your home, please call (250) 624 6795 during regular office hours, and (250) 624 3000 after hours (evenings and weekends). If you experience a water break that is known to be in your home, please shut off your water via the shut off valve in your home and call a plumber directly.
As we continue to state in our information releases, although the City is taking these steps to avoid disruptions in service, it is always recommended that community members have 4L of water per person in your household for a 72 hour period, on hand as a part of emergency kits. This water does not need to be store-bought, but can be filled from your taps, as there is no quality advisory currently in place.
Note that traffic impacts may be experienced in impacted neighbourhoods. Although the City does our best to inform the community about these disruptions, we ask that due to slippery road conditions and limited visibility during evening repairs, that drivers are especially conscientious about potential construction.
For additional information, see the original release on the Local State of Emergency.
Media Contact
Veronika Stewart, Communications Manager, City of Prince Rupert
Office: (250) 627 0976
Cell: (778) 884 6285
Email: veronika.stewart@princerupert.ca