“Catastrophic” water pressure loss after a water main break Thursday in Plympton-Wyoming has prompted a boil water advisory for about 350 Camlachie-area households, a town official says.
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The break happened in the morning on a housing construction site, said Plympton-Wyoming CAO Adam Sobanski, noting there’s an investigation underway into what exactly caused the rupture.
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“When the water main was broken, it was broken in such a manner that it resulted in the water to flow out of it quite quickly, which lowered the pressure in the surrounding area,” Sobanski said.
Ministry of the Environment guidelines require boil water advisories if water pressure drops below 20 pounds per square inch, he said.
“Below 20 PSI, there is a theoretical possibility of contaminants leaking through the pipe gaskets and apparatus,” he said.
Lambton medical officer of health Dr. Karalyn Dueck issued the boil water advisory Thursday afternoon.
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It applies to Egrement Road and connecting side streets between Shram Drive and Mandaumin Road, adjacent to Bright’s Grove, and remains in effect until bacteriological testing proves the water is safe, officials said in a press release.
“We’re expecting the first round of results (Saturday) morning,” Sobanski said.
While water mains breaks are fairly common, no one on municipal staff remembers one ever resulting in a boil water advisory before, he said.
“Most water main breaks are a little easier to control, and the pressure loss is less significant,” Sobanski said. “You’re able to bring the main down to a lower pressure without adversely affecting the surrounding properties as notably.
“Just doe to the nature of this break, we were unable to do it in that manner.”
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A valving issue added to the difficulties, he said, “without getting into details, because we’re still investigating.”
Repairs were completed and water pressure was restored by Thursday evening, he said, noting there were no reports of flooding beyond the construction site and ditches.
“We’re just trying to move everything forward so we can have the boil water advisory lifted as soon as reasonably possible under the guidance of the medical officer of health.”
People. in the meantime, should use boiled water, or an alternate source like bottled water, until further notice for bathing, drinking, gargling, brushing teeth, denture rinsing, hand washing, preparing food, including infant food or formula, and washing and cleaning, public health officials said.
Adults, teens and older children can use tap water for baths and showers, but younger children should be sponge bathed to ensure no tap water is consumed, officials advised.
Laundry can be done as usual, officials said.
Dishes, cutting boards and counters should be washed with soap and water, then disinfected with a bleach solution, they said.
For more about the water main break, call the Town of Plympton-Wyoming at 519-845-3939. For more on the advisory, contact public health at 1-800-667-1839 or lambtonpublichealth.ca.
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