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Decisions expected soon on alternate water sources for North Battleford

Jul 26, 2016 | 2:00 PM

Work continues to ensure North Battleford has an adequate water supply, following an oil spill that contaminated the North Saskatchewan River last week.

Sam Ferris, an official with the Water Security Agency, said a decision on an alternate supply was probable by the end of Tuesday, July 26. But so far people’s conservation efforts were paying off.

“Generally speaking, the reservoirs are in good condition and do recover to some degree every evening,” Ferris said.

While other options are being considered for water supply, Ferris stressed the importance of continued water conservation. The most feasible, he said, would be to connect the now-idle F.E. Holliday Water Treatment Plant to the Battle River.

The city’s mandatory ban on outdoor water use includes washing vehicles and watering lawns and gardens. Normal household use is permitted, including laundry. City administrators said they are working with the 20 largest commercial users of North Battleford’s water system in an attempt to reduce consumption.

An official with Husky Energy said the company has set up a toll-free phone line for any business, individual, or community with a financial claim against the company as a result of the spill.

Wes Kotyk of the Ministry of Environment said Husky was increasing its staff to improve the pace of reclamation efforts. Shore cleanup is now underway in the area where the oil entered the river. The exact coordinates filed with the province show that point is on the South shore of the river, well upstream of the Highway 21 bridge.

The river has been surveyed by air for damage as far east as Prince Albert, according to Environment Canada which is helping provide scientific expertise to the efforts to identify and clean up the environmental impact.

A total of four birds, three fish, and one frog were confirmed dead. People were cautioned by the Ministry of Health not to eat any fish caught in the river. Swimming, tubing, wakeboarding, waterskiing, or other forms of direct contact with the river are not recommended.

People are also urged to keep pets and livestock out of the water.

 

Geoff Smith is battlefordsNOW’s News Director, business and agriculture reporter. He can be reached at gsmith@jpbg.ca or tweet him @smithco.