The Stz’uminus First Nation reservoir has lost 500,000 litres of water after a damaged fire hydrant was discovered in the Shell Beach area of Stz’uminus.
Due to the water loss, Stz’uminus does not have enough water in the reservoir to safely fight a fire if one broke out. Local fire departments are on standby with pumper trucks in the event of a fire.
In a press release, Stz’uminus said that 33 truckloads of water will be brought in to help refill the reservoir at ‘significant cost’.
“You will notice the water truck crews running 24/7 starting tomorrow [Dec. 15] morning and into the next couple of days,” the release stated.
Stz’uminus organized water delivery for every home starting Tuesday Dec. 15. Stz’uminus ordered 300 five gallon jugs to be delivered to the Community Centre at 9 a.m. Country Grocer delivered 142 flats of bottled water plus four more skids from their warehouse. The first water deliveries went out to Stz’uminus residents around 9:30 a.m.
The First Nations Health Authority issued a boil water advisory to Stz’uminus on the afternoon of Dec. 14. That advisory will be in place until further notice. FNHA will conduct intermittent inspections and will inform Stz’uminus when the advisory is lifted.
Stz’uminus Public Works Department made some repairs on Dec. 14, and flushed the water line. Repairs were completed on Dec. 16, and water service has been restored. As of Wednesday, Dec. 16, Stz’uminus remains under a boil water advisory
45 vulnerable individuals are being taken care of and housed at the Oyster Bay Microtel while repairs are conducted.
