Urgent Boil Water Advisory Impacts Hundreds of Thousands in Halifax
A boil water advisory has been issued for a significant portion of Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM), affecting an estimated 200,000 residents. The advisory, announced early Tuesday morning, January 21st, 2025, by Halifax Water, stems from a power interruption at the J.D. Kline (Pockwock) Lake Water Treatment Facility. This isn't the first time such an event has affected the region; a similar incident occurred last July, leading to widespread disruptions.
The affected areas include a broad swathe of HRM encompassing numerous communities. Areas impacted include Beaver Bank, Middle and Lower Sackville, Upper Hammonds Plains, Fall River, Bedford, Timberlea, Spryfield, and Herring Cove. This advisory impacts customers in these locations serviced by Halifax Water’s Pockwock Lake Drinking Water Treatment Facility. Halifax Water's interactive map helps residents determine if their property is within the impacted zone. The utility urges residents to check the map to ensure their safety.
Understanding the Water Issue
Halifax Water confirmed that while the water treatment process continued during the power outage, the chlorine disinfection system was out of service for approximately 30 minutes. This brief interruption allowed a limited quantity of unchlorinated water to enter the distribution system. This poses a health risk, necessitating the boil water advisory. The advisory is mandated by permit requirements from Nova Scotia Environment and Climate Change (NSECC).
The Cause of the Interruption
The power outage, according to Halifax Water communications manager Jeff Myrick, was caused by a planned Nova Scotia Power outage in the Hammonds Plains area around 10:30 p.m. AT. While water treatment continued during this time, the lack of chlorine disinfection during those crucial 30 minutes triggered the advisory. Notably, Myrick stated that the backup generator did not engage during the power failure. Further investigation is needed to understand the malfunction and prevent future occurrences. He alluded to a near-complete upgrade to the system that would have prevented this. However, the upgrade was a few days from completion at the time of this event.
Necessary Precautions: Boiling Your Water
Halifax Water emphasizes that while the water remains usable, it must be boiled for at least one minute before consumption. This applies to various uses including:
- Drinking
- Preparing infant formula
- Making ice cubes or juices
- Washing fruits and vegetables
- Cooking
- Brushing teeth
- Any other activity requiring human consumption
The boil water advisory will remain in effect until further notice. Halifax Water continues to monitor water quality and work closely with NSECC and the Medical Officer of Health. Regular updates will be posted on their website and through their Customer Care Centre at 902-420-9287.
Impacts on Schools and the Community
The Halifax Regional Centre for Education has taken proactive steps to ensure student safety. Water fountains in affected schools are taped off with clear signage, and bottled water is provided to students. Parents are urged to send children to school with a filled water bottle. The inconvenience extends beyond schools. Businesses and daycares were impacted last July, with some opting to close down. Grocery store shelves were quickly cleared out, similar to last summer’s issue.
Looking Ahead: Lessons Learned and Future Improvements
Myrick explained that while this incident’s impact mirrors last July’s, the cause is different. Last year's advisory resulted from an internal electrical issue, while this year's is attributed to an external power interruption. Despite this difference, this event again highlights the critical nature of water treatment processes and the need for robust backup systems. Myrick highlighted that many improvements were implemented following the July 2024 incident and they were days away from a fully automated chlorine redundancy system that would have prevented this issue. The ongoing work to install this new system will not be impacted by this latest incident.
Halifax Water is committed to resolving the issue swiftly, continuously monitoring water quality, and prioritizing the health and safety of its customers. Information will be continuously updated on their website, which offers an interactive map to determine whether your area is affected by the advisory. They will notify the public when it's safe to resume normal water usage.
A Call to Action: Stay Informed and Safe
Residents are urged to remain vigilant, follow the boil water advisory instructions meticulously, and stay informed by frequently checking the Halifax Water website and official news channels for updates. Your health is paramount and taking the necessary precautions to ensure access to safe and potable water during this time is crucial. The situation is being closely monitored and addressed by those responsible for our water safety. Let’s work together to ensure everyone stays safe.
