FAQs
- Has been treated and is safe to drink/consume
- It meets the standards in the Drinking Water Protection Act and Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality.
- It is safe to use for:
- Drinking
- Cooking and food prep
- Brushing teeth
- Washing dishes
- Personal hygiene
- Baby formula
- Does not meet the standards required for drinking.
- It may contain pathogens or contaminants that are unsafe to ingest.
- Human consumption and food preparation are NOT ACCEPTABLE uses for non-potable water.
- It is suitable for toilet flushing.
- A compatible replacement pump was identified; however, it did not have the required drive capacity to operate within the system.
- Some options that are close to meeting requirements have been identified but are not mechanically suitable for this application.
- Overland and imported supply options continue to be investigated, and any solution that is feasible and safe to implement will be actioned.
What is the difference between potable and non-potable water?
Understanding the difference between potable and non-potable water is critical. Potable water is safe to drink, while non-potable water is not.
POTABLE WATER:
NON-POTABLE WATER:
Why don't you get a pump from EVR or somewhere else?
The District has been actively seeking out other options for temporary pump and continues to work with EVR and neighbouring municipalities to assess alternative solutions.
Once the pump arrives, will we be able to drink the water?
No. Any water returning to the system will not be potable and must not be used for drinking, cooking, brushing teeth or any other consumption purpose.
Once the pump is in, the system will be repressurized and chlorinated. Lines will be flushed and water samples will be sent to the lab for required testing. Once lab results come back clear, the District will advise when water can be used safely.
It is important to understand that it can take several days for water test results to be returned, so the Boil Water Notice will remain in effect for several days once water service has been restored.
Why wasn't there a back up pump?
The affected portion of the water system was built with two wells and two pumps to provide redundancy. Under normal operating conditions, the pumps run in sequence, and either pump can operate independently.
Earlier this year, the larger of the two pumps was scheduled for removal and rebuild. During that process, we determined that the pump had wear that could not be repaired, and a replacement unit was ordered. That replacement pump is still in production and has not yet been delivered.
With that pump out of service, the remaining pump continued to supply the affected zone. On June 16, the motor on that pump failed. Our crews and electrical contractor assessed the motor, but they were unable to complete the repair locally. We then disconnected the motor and transported it to Calgary for assessment and repair by our regular contractor. The contractor is treating the work as a priority.