Precautionary Drinking Water Advisory Lifted in all Six Neighbourhoods

At 4:00 p.m. today, the Water Security Agency removed restrictions for Arbor Creek, Erindale, Evergreen (with the exception of Pohorecky), Forest Grove, University Heights Suburban Centre and Willowgrove under its Precautionary Drinking Water Advisory after extensive testing confirmed the water in these areas is safe to drink.

The Pohorecky area in the Evergreen neighbourhood will remain under advisory, including Pohorecky Bay, Cove, Close, Crescent, Court, Lane, Place, Rise, Street, Terrace and Way until further flushing of the system produces water samples that meet the high quality standards of the provincial regulatory agency. Yellow Drinking Advisory doorhangers will be delivered to these affected addresses as soon as possible tonight; followed by a green lifted notice when the water is confirmed safe to drink.

“After repeated flushing of the distribution system, water samples taken on Pohorecky Drive in Evergreen tested positive for a bacterial growth that we don’t like to see in drinking water,” says Acting Director of Public Works Trent Schmidt. “While it is not a serious threat to public health, we maintain high quality standards for public consumption and any level is unacceptable.”

“We are pleased to have these results before the long weekend,” says Schmidt. “The six neighbourhoods under the Precautionary Drinking Water Advisory can safely drink their tap water after running their taps for at least one minute.”

Arbor Creek, Erindale, Evergreen (except for Pohorecky) Forest Grove, University Heights Suburban Centre and Willowgrove no longer need to boil tap water for consumption and can begin using the tap water as normal after the following steps are completed:

1. Run cold water faucets and drinking fountains for at least 1 minute before using the water.
2. Drain and flush the ice-making system in your refrigerator.
3. Run water softeners through a regeneration cycle.
4. Drain and refill hot water heaters set below 45°C (normal setting is 60°C).