The town of Bow Island, located 320 km southeast of Calgary, has issued a water quality alert. .“There may be compromised water quality arising from a water main break near the water treatment plant and the associated repair work that follows,” said Alberta Health Services executive officer Subhendra Dharampaul in a Tuesday executive order. .“To effect these repairs, the water supply has been turned off.” .The order said this breakage has led to pressure loss. .The order went on to say water being supplied to Bow Island might be unpotable, which contravenes the Nuisance and General Sanitation Regulation Section 11. It added this water is unfit for human consumption. .This advisory has been issued as a precautionary measure until the water’s safety can be confirmed. Water should be brought to a rapid rolling boil and boiled for one minute prior to drinking, making infant formula and juices, brushing teeth, washing fruit and vegetables, and making ice..The order said it would be better for people to use bottled water or water from an approved, safe alternative source. .Dharampaul ordered Bow Island to conduct a repair of the water main break next to the water treatment plant. He said the water supply to the town needs to be restored. .The executive officer said the town has to conduct strategic and extensive flushing of the water distribution system in accordance with Alberta Environment and Parks requirements. He said six bacteriological water samples have to be submitted from representative locations throughout the distribution system and at least 24 hours apart to the Provincial Laboratory of Public Health for analysis. .The alert said water will be turned back on once repairs are completed, but it might be unsafe to drink. Residents will be notified when it is safe to drink. .“You are advised that further work may be required to ensure full compliance with the Public Health Act and regulations, or to prevent a public health nuisance,” said Dharampaul. .Bow Island chief administrative officer Dave Matz said on Wednesday public works staff finished one water main repair and flushed the water lines. Matz said public works employees will be excavating another water main break and will continue flushing lines. .“Areas of Town may have reduced pressure during flushing,” he said. .“The boil water advisory will most likely remain in effect the rest of this week until all repairs, flushing, and testing are completed.” .Matz said Bow Island does not anticipate any more major disruptions in water supply. He said a water truck has been brought out to fill containers.
