News Releases

City staff, contractors and Costco management worked throughout the weekend and established a temporary water supply for the store as of 11 p.m. Sunday, May 13.

“We continue to work closely with Costco to help keep things business-as-usual at the store,” says Angela Gardiner, Acting General Manager of Transportation & Utilities.

Friday, May 11 the Water Security Agency (WSA) issued a Do Not Use notice after City staff suspected hydrocarbons in three hydrants on the water line that supplies Costco.

With the temporary line in place and following the usual WSA protocol, Costco will remain on a Drinking Water Advisory for the next 36-48 hours until water tests on the temporary line come back clean.

“This is a strict precaution, there is also no reason to believe there is any health risk or that any of the adjacent residential homes in Rosewood are impacted.”

In January, the WSA issued a similar notice after hydrocarbons were visually detected in some fire hydrants within one section of the Aspen Ridge neighbourhood. Even though there were no signs of hydrocarbons beyond the hydrant structures and the residential water supply continued to test clean and clear, about 10 homes have been on temporary water lines since late winter.

“Just like everyone else affected, we want some definitive answers about what’s going on,” Gardiner says. “There could be something about the materials and how they were made, or about how they were installed or there may be some other way any hydrocarbons got there.”

Gardiner says part of the investigation involves an external consultant to develop the permanent remediation plan. The current focus she says is to confirm the exact type of hydrocarbon.

“This is done by sending tests to a lab in Ontario, which takes about three-to-four weeks for results. Once the type of hydrocarbon is confirmed, we will know what direction to take.”   

The City of Saskatoon is proud to sponsor Bike to Work Day YXE, an initiative of Saskatoon Cycles, on Wednesday, May 16, 2018. The aim of this event is to encourage people to give biking to work a try and to celebrate those individuals that regularly make cycling a part of their commute.

“We’re pleased to play a role in the delivery of an initiative that encourages and supports people in trying out an active and sustainable mode of transportation,” says Jay Magus, the City’s Acting Director of Transportation. “As we continue to move towards expanding transportation options around our city – with initiatives like new cycling infrastructure and Bus Rapid Transit – we’re going to see more and more people choosing alternatives to driving.”

“We often hear from people that they’d like to try biking to work but that they feel intimidated to do it that very first time,” says Cathy Watts, co-chair of Saskatoon Cycles. “Bike to Work Day is the perfect day to give it a try because you’ll be out there alongside others doing the same thing—it will also be an extra supportive environment.”

Between 7 and 9 a.m. on May 16^th, participating local businesses and organizations will have bike stations set up around the city. Anyone on a bicycle is invited to make a stop for coffee, giveaways, or a chance to win prizes.

“These stations will attract your attention; with coffee and treats of all kinds as well as tons of encouragement to keep going,” says Watts. “It could be described as a party on the way to work. It would be best to start your commute early on Wednesday to make the most of a very fun day.”

Learn more about Bike to Work Day YXE, including details on the Workplace Challenge and a complete map of bike stations, at biketoworksaskatoon.com.

Until further notice, the Water Security Agency (WSA) has issued a “Do Not Use” notice for an address in the Rosewood neighbourhood.

“First of all, I want to express our frustration that we’ve made this discovery in a different developing area of Saskatoon,” says Angela Gardiner, Acting General Manager of Transportation and Utilities “Hydrocarbons have been detected in three hydrants on the line that supplies Costco.”

“Right now we are conducting water tests to check the supply in the lines beyond the hydrants.  However, because we found hydrocarbons in these three hydrants, it means the WSA has ordered – as a strict precaution – the water supply can’t be used for personal contact.”

“Our investigation in Aspen Ridge revealed some information that led us to probe other areas under development and this is part of the overall ongoing investigation,” Gardiner says.

“We want answers just like everyone else and unfortunately we don’t have those answers at this point. Until we know, the safest course of action is to abide by the WSA’s order.”

City staff have met with the affected business officials to communicate the WSA order and to answer any questions they may have.

The City of Saskatoon’s Emergency Measures Organization (EMO) report that yesterday’s May 10, 6:00 p.m. test message sent to Saskatoon residents was executed successfully. With twice-yearly testing, more and more residents are becoming familiar with notifynow emergency notification messages.

“Saskatoon’s population is now over 270,000 and growing. So far, we’ve had just over 23,000 residents customize their notifynow profile,” says Pamela Goulden-McLeod, Director of Emergency Planning. “We are pleased that this number continues to grow, but we would really like to see more residents tell us their preferred method of communication. It’s important to remember that notifynow can’t reach you and your family if you have incomplete or out-of-date contact information in the notifynow system.”

Did you receive your notifynow test message? Have you taken steps to be prepared, connected and informed in the event of a citywide emergency or one affecting only your neighbourhood?

“If you have a phone number that is publicly available, you may be in the notifynow system,” says Goulden-McLeod. “However, we encourage residents to visit the City’s website to indicate how they want to receive their notifynow emergency notification messages. Many residents now prefer cell phone, text or email, or maybe all of these options.”

It’s easy to customize your notifynow profile and your communication preferences. Help notifynow reach you - and more Saskatoon residents with timely, trusted and targeted emergency notification messages.

“Notifynow messages should play an important part of you and your family’s emergency preparedness plan,” adds Goulden-McLeod. “These emergency safety messages can tell you what to do, what to expect, or even where to go in an emergency situation, and this greatly helps to reduce stress for you and your family.”

Visit saskatoon.ca/notifynow today to customize your preferences or call 306-975-3210 for more information.

The Saskatoon Emergency Measures Organization (EMO) encourages residents to take steps to Be Emergency Ready during Emergency Preparedness Week, May 6 to 12.

“Everyone has a role to play in emergency preparedness,” says Pamela Goulden-McLeod, Director of Emergency Planning. “Making sure your household is well-prepared helps to reduce stress in the event of an emergency.”

Emergency Notification Tests

Wednesday, May 9 at 1:55 p.m.

Canada Alert Ready

• This is the first test of this system.
• The Canada Alert Ready test will be sent via Canadian radio and TV, cable and satellite operators. Emergency alerts will also be sent to compatible wireless devices connected to LTE networks.
• Residents do not have to sign-up for Canada Alert Ready emergency notifications.
• Visit alertready.ca for more information.

Thursday, May 10 at 6:00 p.m.

Citywide notifynow test  

• Tested twice a year, notifynow is a trusted, timely and targeted emergency notification system for the residents of Saskatoon that plays an essential part in reaching residents in instances of emergency.
• Should you receive a notifynow message - you’ll know what to do, where to go and what to expect.
• Tell us how to best reach you in the event of a large-scale emergency, or one affecting only your neighbourhood. Sign-up for this free service to customize your preferred communication method and profile.
• Visit saskatoon.ca/notifynow for more information.

In addition to the two emergency tests next week, Saskatoon EMO emphasizes the importance of personal preparedness through these three steps: know the risks, make a plan, and get a kit.

Emergency Preparedness Week began in 1996 and is an annual, national event coordinated by Public Safety Canada.  The week highlights the importance of personal preparedness and raises awareness of the importance of having an emergency kit, making an emergency plan, and identifying risks that may be specific to a region.

Saskatoon residents wanting to learn more about personal emergency preparedness may call Saskatoon EMO at 306-975-3210 or visit saskatoon.ca/notifynow.