UPDATE July 25: The City of North Battleford says thanks to the water conservation efforts of local businesses and residents, Water Treatment Plant 1 can keep up with the current water demand of the city.
UPDATE July 25: The City of North Battleford says thanks to the water conservation efforts of local businesses and residents, Water Treatment Plant 1 can keep up with the current water demand of the city. The help of all community members is making a big difference in dealing with the situation. However, the community is asked to continue to conserve water wherever they can as it cannot be determined for how long the F.E. Holliday treatment plant needs to be shut off.
The City hopes to have more information on the extent and the duration of the situation later this week. Currently, City administration is looking at alternative options to supply water to the City, such as pipelines.
In the meantime, the City reminds all residents to conserve water by refraining from outside use of drinking water, like watering lawns and gardens, washing vehicles or buildings. This does not affect the use of water for drinking, food preparation, bathing and doing laundry.
The City has also contacted the top 20 water users in the City to determine on how they can conserve water. Carwashes will remain closed, however, other services that these businesses provide, like vacuuming and shampooing services, interior detailing and water refills are not affected.
The City thanks all community members for pulling together to make sure there is water available for everyone. Keep up the good work! A FAQ can soon be found on the City’s website. Updates will continue to be posted on www.cityofnb.ca and on social media and can be obtained through City Hall (306-445- 1700).
Sunday, July 24 UPDATE: The City of North Battleford continues to meet with the Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment and The Saskatchewan Water Security Agency regarding the oil spill which occurred near Maidstone, Thursday, July 21.
City crews are working diligently to ensure that the Water Treatment Plant 1 is operating at optimum. Given the reduced water production capacity in the city and following the recommendations from both government agencies to take strict actions to conserve water, the City of North Battleford hereby advises that the following mandatory measures are to continue until further notice:
- consumption for daily use, for example drinking, food preparation, bathing, is not affected by the notice. Please note failure to comply will result in fines.
- Car washes in the City will remain closed
- Laundromats in the City will remain closed
- The City will also be in contact with businesses that are large water users due to the nature of their business.
The North Battleford Fire Department also advises to stay away from the river banks as the water level is high and the current relatively strong.
Updates will be posted on www.cityofnb.ca and on social media and can be obtained through City Hall (306-445-1700).
BACKGROUND:
Friday evening the City of North Battleford issued the following update:
The City of North Battleford received notice that some oil of the Husky Energy oil spill near Maidstone will reach the City tonight and it will be more oil than anticipated.
Following the recommendations from the Water Security Agency, the City of North Battleford advises to go into “Winter Water Use”. This means:
- Car washes in the City will be shut down
- Laundromats will be closed
- City residents are urged to not water their gardens or lawns nor use any water to do outside cleaning (like washing vehicles or hosing down driveways etc.).
Water consumption for daily use (for drinking, food preparation, showers) is not affected.
This advisory will stay in place at least for the next three days.
We urge our residents to help us conserve water wherever they can!
Updates will be posted on www.cityofnb.ca and on social media and can be obtained through City Hall (306-445-1700).
BACKGROUND: Friday afternoon: The City of North Battleford has received notice that some oil of the Husky Energy oil spill near Maidstone will reach the city.
As planned, F.E. Holliday water treatment plant is shut down and Husky Energy is working with the City to construct a berm around the water intake structure of the plant to protect it from material, states a release issued by the City of North Battleford.
The City’s water consumption will now be fed by Water Treatment Plant 1 which draws water from a groundwater well.
City administration asks residents to save water by not watering their lawns.
Updates will be posted on www.cityofnb.ca and on social media and can be obtained through City Hall (306-445-1700).
Across the river in Battleford, no problems are anticipated, since there is a lot of clay between the wells and the river, although CAO John Enns-Wind indicates never say never.
The Town of Battleford has put a notice up on its website announcing the following:
Battleford's water is sourced from four ground wells beside the river. The wells are fed from ground water and not surface water. The Town of Battleford doesn't expect any problems should the oil make its way to Battleford. The wells are regularly checked to see if water from the river is going into the wells. At this time no water from the river is entering the Town's wells.
