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Churchill boil water advisory issued after river water introduced to system to last three more weeks

A boil water advisory issued in Churchill Jan. 16 will likely remain in place for another three weeks, the Town of Churchill said Jan. 24.
churchill boil water advisory jan 2019
A boil water advisory in place in Churchill since Jan. 16 will likely last three more weeks, the town said Jan. 24.

A boil water advisory issued in Churchill Jan. 16 will likely remain in place for another three weeks, the Town of Churchill said Jan. 24.

“Based on current projections we are anticipating a continuation of the boil water advisory for an additional three weeks," said a community update posted on social media. “We understand and acknowledge the impact this has on the community but we must ensure we meet provincial water requirements.”

The situation is the result of a serious water main break along Kelsey Boulevard as well as two smaller breaks that occurred during the week of Jan. 7 that placed strain on the town’s water treatment process.

“The volume of treated water required to keep up with the community’s demand was greater than what the town could produce,” said the update. “In order to prevent freezing, the town's only option was to introduce untreated, but chlorinated Churchill River water into the reservoir.”

Churchill’s utilities department has been working to get the water treatment plant back to producing treated water in sustainable quantities.

“We are making very good progress, but the process is a slow one,” said the town’s update. “The cold temperatures have also been a factor in creating these conditions.”

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