The most recent water tests from the Weyburn Filtration Plant show no more signs of giardia or cryptosporidium, however a complete flushing and cleaning program must occur before the precautionary boil water advisory is lifted.
The most recent water tests from the Weyburn Filtration Plant show no more signs of giardia or cryptosporidium, however a complete flushing and cleaning program must occur before the precautionary boil water advisory is lifted.
Samples of treated city water was examined by Hyperion Research Ltd. The results on the City of Weyburn website on Mar. 16, reported no traces of either cryptosporidium or giardia.
Although the plant itself has had several test results free of parasites, the reservoirs and distribution system still must be cleaned and tested before the precautionary boil water advisory is lifted by the Ministry of Environment.
"We have started cleaning out the reservoir, and will be doing a flushing and cleaning program," said Shabbir Sakrani, filtration plant manager. "This is a critical time at the plant, and we are watching 24-hours a day."
Due to the procedures required for the flushing and cleaning program, Sakrani estimated it could take four weeks before everything is completed. "We have to maintain some flow level, some turbidity level, so we can't do everything at once."
Another factor that must be dealt with before lifting the precautionary boil water advisory is that recent testing of the drinking water have found increased levels of manganese.
The timeline for lifting the precautionary boil water advisory is dictated by the Ministry of Environment, who are working with the City of Weyburn. In addition to flushing and cleaning programs at the Filtration Plant and testing of drinking samples, the city will also do a main flushing of their hydrants.
"It's really important that the people of Weyburn follow the precautionary drinking water advisory, including boiling water for a minute before consumptive use, until all three of those systems are cleaned and proven to be cleaned," said Frank Reid, manager of the engineering and approval unit for the Ministry of Environment. The Ministry must ensure that all three systems are free of parasites cryptosporidium and giardia before the advisory will be lifted.
"What has to happen here is each of these three components is cleaned thoroughly, disinfected thoroughly, inspected, and then testing samples are taken and we wait for the test results, so it's difficult to say exactly what a timeline would be because it's based on the results of those tests," says Reid. "We want the system back on-line to serve the people of Weyburn as soon as possible, however, we don't want to see that the system comes on-line when the test results are bad."
One of the questions that is being raised to city representatives is if a water rebate will be given to residents. "We haven't discussed that issue yet, but we also want to see how long this precautionary boil water advisory lasts," said Debra Button, mayor of Weyburn.
Button noted that it was a complicated issue because water is a utility and is self-funded. "This is a conversation we will have in public, but residents can still wash their clothes, take bathes, do dishes, and they can drink the water as long as they boil it first. It is an inconvenience and it makes things a little bit difficult, but it is tough to say what a rebate should be."
"We also have to put money into the filtration plant because of equipment, manpower for 24-hour, and other factors," said Button, noting that these are costs that would affect the water rates for residents later this year.
Another concern is being raised through a petition, started by local businessman Andrew Shanaida. He would like the fluoride removed from the drinking water, and also wants complete disclosure of the types of polymers being used, or proposed for use in the remediation of Weyburn's drinking water.
"I did my own investigation because of the recent issues with water quality, and it came to light from staff members at the Weyburn Water Treatment Plant that we are still adding fluoride to our drinking water," said Shanaida. "I propose that we eliminate this practice, it is not a necessary product and it is a forced medication."
"The addition of hexafluorosilicic acid (HFSA) to our drinking water also adds it to our downstream environment through released treated sewage effluents," said Shanaida. "The addition of HFSA into our environment can cause disruptions in plant and animal life."
Shanaida noted that other communities have since removed the use of fluoride from their treatment facilities, or are currently reviewing the removal of it. "A lot of cities have moved away from putting it in the water. It is an expense."
If the petition receives enough signatures, it could become a plebiscite during this year's civic election in October.
The other concern raised by Shanaida in his petition is regarding the addition of polymers to the drinking water to aid with current turbidity issues. "Weyburn residents should also be made aware of any potential hazards that these polymers may present in the form of disinfection by-products or DBPs."
"This stuff is pretty nasty," said Shanaida. "Even in the short term it is a risk."
Shanaida noted that he was concerned about the use of acrylamide, which is best known for treatment of water, but normally waste water. "Studies have shown convincingly that acrylamide is a cumulative neurotoxin, and accumulation in the liver and kidney as well as in the male reproductive system has also been demonstrated."
His petition asks for a full disclosure regarding the use and or proposed use of potentially harmful polymers in Weyburn drinking water. According to Sakrani, the filtration plant manager, any polymers used for optimization of clear water are approved by the Ministry of Environment, and are meant to be used for drinking water supplies.
Shanaida had visited the filtration plant and praised the honesty of Sakrani regarding his questions. "He was the one that told me they were still putting fluoride in the drinking water."
