Photo Ed Halverson

Supply issues and power problems at the Region of Queens water treatment plant are responsible for the ongoing boil water advisory that has affected municipal water users in the Liverpool area for over a month.

Residents relying on municipal services have been unable to consume the water coming out of their pipes since the Region issued the advisory on Aug 9.

A lightning strike at the water treatment plant damaged several essential components.

Mayor Darlene Norman says it took time to acquire replacements for the specialized components, but they are now in hand. However, crews won’t be installing the new parts until they can be sure the power entering the plant is stable and won’t cause further damage.

“At this present time, we are stabilizing energy to the plant. So, Nova Scotia power is working to do that,” said Norman. “We have hired consultants, we’ve been working with various agencies, we’ve been working with water utility specialists, we have been working with everyone in the water utility field to solve this problem.”

Norman expects Nova Scotia Power will continue to work at the site into next week.

She says the water quality at the plant is inconsistent and won’t pass tests required by the Nova Scotia Department of Environment to permit lifting the boil water advisory.

The mayor couldn’t offer a timeline but is confident once the power to the plant is stabilized, and the new parts are installed those tests can be met in short order and the boil water advisory will be lifted.

For now, residents are advised to continue boiling water for at least a minute before drinking or any other activity requiring human consumption.

To hear the full interview with Mayor Norman click play below.

E-mail: edhalversonnews@gmail.com

Photo Ed Halverson

Residents of Liverpool and parts of the surrounding areas are under a boil water advisory.

The Region of Queens Municipality is advising anyone serviced by Region of Queens Water Utility to boil water for at least 1 minute before drinking, preparing infant formulas, preparing juices, and ice cubes, washing fruits and vegetables, cooking, dental hygiene, and any other activity requiring human consumption. This is to be done until further notice.

Mayor Darlene Norman says the utility was damaged during Tuesday night’s storm.

“As we all know thunder and lightning storms have been dancing all around us and lightning has been dancing around the water treatment plant and strikes have caused equipment not to be working at the levels it should,” said Norman. “So, we have no idea how long it will take to get our equipment back on the stream to which is required, so therefore a boil water advisory has been issued at this point in time.”

Norman says the storm damage has impacted capacity at the water treatment plant.Residents are asked to immediately conserve water until further notice and avoid activities that use unnecessary water, such as washing vehicles, as well as watering lawns and gardens.

The municipality is closing the Spray Pad at Etil Militam’mk Universally-Designed Play Park to conserve water until further notice.

Potable water is available from Cowie Well.

Residents are asked to follow the Region of Queens web page and social media as well as local media outlets for updates on the boil water advisory.

E-mail: edhalversonnews@gmail.com

To listen to the broadcast of this story, press play below.