Notice to boil water affecting a handful of houses « Preventive » Mînî Thnî

STONEY NAKODA – A boil water advisory affecting between eight and 12 households in Mînî Thnî should be lifted in the coming days.

Indigenous Services Canada issued the boil water advisory on October 11 as a precautionary measure in lieu of scheduled maintenance at the East Morley water treatment plant, separate from the plant main water supply to the townsite.

Simon Sihota, regional director of environmental public health for Indigenous Services Canada in Alberta, said the work was to replace old pipes and distribution manifolds in the treatment plant, which involved putting the plant in water offline and depressurize the system.

« Any time you depressurize a water system, there’s always a risk of siphoning or backflow, » Sihota said. « Things can come in, but in this case we’re not necessarily worried about something being brought in from a broken pipe – it’s just part of the process and a boil water advisory is issued until until the repairs are completed. »

Due to the change in pressure and the risk of backflow, the water line might have picked up general contaminants or bacteria, he explained. It is common practice to issue a boil water advisory when crews cannot verify that backflow prevention is in place.

“The boiling water is put in place just in case there is a chance or a low risk,” Sihota said. « If something got in, by boiling the water you would make it safe to prevent any disease. »

Crews completed their maintenance work at the plant within a day and the water system has since been adequately repressurized, flushed and sanitized. Testing has also started to ensure the water is safe before the advisory is lifted.

“We have already taken one set of samples and expect to get the results later today (October 13) or tomorrow (October 14), and there is another set of samples that was due to be taken today. today, » Sihota said.

So far, there have been no indications of contamination.

Affected households are asked to bring water to a rolling boil for at least one minute before any consumption, including but not limited to: drinking, making formula or juice, brushing teeth, washing fruits and vegetables or make rice.

“Boiling the water will destroy any microorganisms that may be present,” the advisory from Indigenous Services Canada reads.

Signs of drinking contaminated water could include gastrointestinal issues consistent with illnesses like giardia and cryptosporidium, including vomiting, diarrhea, or cramping. Anyone who may be experiencing these symptoms is urged to visit the Stoney Community Health Centre.

The boil water advisory will remain in effect until further notice. For more information on how to use water safely during a boil water advisory, visit: www.albertahealthservices.ca/news/Page4238.aspx.