Two Additional Watermain Breaks Overnight, with both City and Contracted Crews Completing Necessary Repairs by This Morning
PRINCE RUPERT, DECEMBER 22nd – The City is reporting that two additional watermain breaks occurred overnight, however thanks to a quick response time from crews, necessary repairs to the watermains have now been conducted. Crews were also able to isolate the breaks and retain water service to homes in impacted areas. The State of Local Emergency remains in effect today, with the Emergency Operations Centre continuing to liaise with contacts at Emergency Management BC and local supports to keep all necessary parties appraised of local conditions.
Thanks to the quick response time of both City and contracted crews on last night’s breaks, 1st Ave East is currently the only remaining active water main break. There remain 5 active City service breaks, and approximately 13 known service breaks or freezing on the homeowner side.
With snow occurring overnight, crews are out conducting snow/ice control activities. As a reminder, residents and business owners are responsible to clear the area in front of your properties – and we ask that if you have a neighbour that is unable to manage snow removal themselves, to lend a helping hand. As always, we also request that residents to do their part in helping City crews make the snow and ice removal process more efficient and effective for plows. For a full list of recommendations with respect to snow removal, including a list of Frequently Asked Questions, head to our website.
We continue to ask homeowners to run their taps to prevent freezing. Given local conditions, we also continue to 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 an additional reminder due to the potential for freezing of pipes, 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.
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