Swan River still under water usage warning

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This article was published 31/01/2018 (2967 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The water emergency situation in Swan River is not over.

On Wednesday morning, local officials posted an update on the western Manitoba town’s website, reminding residents and businesses to restrict their water usage.

“This means no baths, no showers, no washing clothes or running dishwashers,” the message said. Those are major water-consumption activities that deplete water reserves. “This situation is still very critical.”

Broken valves shutdown two of the three wells supplying the community’s water supply, triggering a state of local emergency Sunday in the town of 4,000 located some 300 kilometres northwest of Brandon.

On Wednesday, crews were making “great progress,” but there is no timeline for the repairs to be completed and water usage to return to normal, the public notice said.

“While we are still able to produce small amounts of safe water, this can change at any time.”

The message thanked residents for their conservation efforts and urged people to keep restricting water usage until the town’s pumps are repaired.

In the meantime, there is no boil-water advisory in effect or any risk to firefighting efforts, the town said.

Bottled water and bulk potable water is available at the Swan Valley Regional Secondary School trades building, daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

It’s being distributed to residents and business owners at no cost. Arrangements are being made to deliver water to vulnerable people who cannot get to the distribution centre, the town said.

Swan River is also offering toilet facilities: portable toilets are available at the Swan Valley Co-op wash bay between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. daily for public use.

— staff