The latest report from the Water Security Agency is indicating North Battleford's water supply is "in good condition," however, it's only in good condition because of the water conservation that has been observed.
During the provincial government's daily teleconference media update Wednesday, Sam Ferris, executive director of Environmental and Municipal Management Services with the Water Security Agency, said conservation of water remains essential to North Battleford.
Due to an oil spill last week, North Battleford's intake of river water was shut down Saturday and it is now relying solely on well water as a raw water source.
As the fallout from the oil spill from Husky Energy's pipeline near Paradise Hill continues, officials from WSA, provincial government ministries and Environment and Climate Change Canada are offering no timeline as to when the North Saskatchewan River will again be safe as a municipal water source.
Wednesday, Ferris said the City of North Battleford is looking at four options to provide additional treated water.
One is to enter into an agreement to procure water from the Town of Battleford, which does not use river water, only well water, for its utility.
A second is to pipe water from the Battle River to the F.E. Holliday Water Treatment Plant, which is currently shut down.
The third is to add a well or wells to North Battleford's existing well field.
The fourth is a technology-based pre-treatment of surface water to be used between the river intake and the F.E. Holliday plant.
This last option, said Ferris, is technology that is well-understood in the province, however, he said, it is unusual for it to be used to treat raw water that has been exposed to oil to be used as drinking water.
Ferris said the Water Security Agency receives updates from North Battleford each morning and word Wednesday was that the reservoir was holding up very well, but that it is critically dependant on water use.
Ferris said North Battleford can subsist for some time, as long as there is no major fire or other heavy draw on the water supply. But, he added, to provide a full range of water service, an alternate source is needed.
Currently, the City has issued an outdoor watering ban, and has ordered car washes, laundromats and other high water users to take those services off line.
Meanwhile, it was reported during Wednesday teleconference update that five animals are in treatment because of the spill – two birds, two snakes and one beaver. Husky Energy has undertaken to provide the Wildlife Rehabilitation Society of Saskatchewan and its partners with assistance and support. There have been 14 mortalities reported, primarily birds.
