The Town of Sylvan Lake has initiated a water consumption order after experiencing a potential water main break.
Kevin Gannon, the manager of environmental services, says crews were working on water reservoir when “back pressure aided in the causation of a potential break at one of the well sites.”
“At this point we are summarizing that the connection for one of the valving may have come a part where they are usually connected, where it is at it’s weakest,” Gannon said.
Gannon continued to say the well in question is in direct connection to another well site.
“So both wells, if they are turned on, will pump water out of the ground and not to its intended location,” said Gannon.
These wells normally bring in roughly 1,500 cubic meters of water each day. With the only one well operational Gannon says only 400-500 cubic meters of water will be brought in.
He continued, saying the south reservoir is trying to compensate for the loss.
He called it a significant loss for the town.
“Having that drastic amount of reduction and having the south reservoir compensate for that loss is significant for the Town.
With the amount of people at home… because of COVID… we want to make sure that there is no potential risk or limited risk will be to the people of Sylvan Lake.”
According to Gannon, the restriction put in place Monday afternoon are precautionary, and will help the south reservoir compensate for the loss.
Crews are working to fix the problem. By roughly 8 p.m. Monday evening crews had been able to excavate down to the rock to investigate the problem.
Gannon says crews hope to have the repairs done by the end of day Tuesday.
The issue being addressed is not one of water quality, Gannon says. Instead the problem is with the potential availability of water in town.
“I want to reassure everybody that there is no issue with the quality of water in Sylvan Lake. This is all on a demand issue solely, and it is a precautionary measure to ensure that if there is a lot of demand in the town we are not going to cause additional problems in our system.”
While crews are working to repair the infrastructure, residents are asked to reduce their consumption where ever possible such as:
- Shorter showers/only where necessary
- Do not needlessly run facets
- Reduce (toilet) flushing, again where possible
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megan.roth@sylvanlakenews.com
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