CITY INCREASES WATER OUTAGE COMMUNICATION WITH ONLINE ALERTS

Online Water Outage Service Alerts are now available 24/7 to notify residents affected by unplanned water service disruptions that require the water to be off for 8 hours or more. These alerts, similar to Power Outage Service Alerts, will now be available at Saskatoon.ca or by following @YXEServiceAlert on Twitter.

“Throughout the year, the City experiences an average of five water line breaks per week affecting up to 25 households at a time, so improving our communication during these inconvenient events will be beneficial for residents,” says Pat Hyde, Director of Public Works.  “A major contributing factor for the cause of these breaks is the extreme weather changes we experience here in Saskatoon. Fluctuating temperatures can cause the ground to expand and contract, shifting the pipes underground.”

Water Outage Service Alerts will be issued when the water is turned off, if there is a change to the scope of the outage, and again once water is restored. Since November 1, 2014 the City has experienced 42 water main breaks, compared to 77 over the same period last year. The 20 year average for the same period is 66.

It is the City’s goal to repair the water line and restore water within 24 – 48 hours.  Once the repair is completed and the water is turned back on, a Drinking Water Advisory (DWA) will be in place for the following 2 to 3 days. This notice advises that there is a risk of water contamination during the repair process, so occupants are advised to boil water before drinking. Residents are notified with a yellow door hanger when the DWA is issued and a green door hanger once the laboratory confirms the water is safe to drink and the advisory is lifted.  The period from when the water is turned off to when the DWA is lifted is typically 4-6 days.

 “The City provides a community emergency water supply trailer within the first eight hours of a water outage,” says Hyde. “The City has six trailers which are prioritized for distribution based on the order the breaks occur.”

This year, all residents affected by a water service outage are invited to use shower facilities at their nearest City Leisure Centre.  The service will be provided at no cost until your water service is restored. Residents can access the showers during the centre’s regular hours of operation and will need to provide proof of address, such as a driver’s license or utility bill, to gain entry to the facility. 

Be prepared.  Every home should be prepared for an unexpected water outage by having a supply of bottled drinking water.  It is recommended to have enough water for a 72-hour period, which amounts to 3.8 litres (one gallon) per person or pet per day.

For more information visit saskatoon.ca or call 306-975-2476 to report a water main break.

For more City of Saskatoon Public Service Announcements, News Releases, Traffic Detours and Service Alerts, visit www.saskatoon.ca or connect with the City of Saskatoon on Twitter and Facebook.