Halifax Regional Municipality has issued a boil-water advisory affecting parts of the region, following a power interruption at the JD Kline (Pockwock) Lake Water Treatment Facility. Halifax Water reported on January 21, 2025, the advisory concerns over 200,000 residents across various neighborhoods, emphasizing the necessity for boiling water before consumption or use.
The advisory was triggered after the water treatment facility experienced electrical issues due to a planned power outage at around 10:30 p.m. Atlantic Time. While water treatment continued during the outage, there was insufficient chlorine disinfection for approximately 30 minutes, raising concerns about the safety of the drinking water. The affected communities include Beaver Bank, Middle and Lower Sackville, Upper Hammonds Plains, Bedford, Fall River, Halifax, Timberlea, Spryfield, and Herring Cove.
Halifax Water instructed all residents within the advisory zone to boil their water for at least one minute prior to using it for drinking, preparing infant formula, making ice cubes or juice, cooking, washing fruits and vegetables, brushing teeth, or any other human consumption activities. The advisory is expected to remain in effect until the situation is fully resolved, with updates to be provided as more information becomes available.
Jeff Myrick, communications manager for Halifax Water, confirmed to CBC News, "The question now is where it is in the system and when levels will start to spike up again," highlighting the uncertainty surrounding how unchlorinated water may mix with already treated water throughout the distribution system.
With this boil-water advisory, Halifax Regional Centre for Education has also advised parents to provide their children with filled water bottles for school since water fountains will be taped off with appropriate signage indicating the restrictions. Bottled water will be distributed to students as necessary.
This is not the first time the Halifax region has faced such incidents. A similar boil-water advisory was issued last July due to electrical issues at the same treatment facility, which resulted in widespread disruptions for local businesses and families. "It's real unfortunate... this has happened, and we can appreciate..." Myrick stated, expressing concern for the impact of the advisory on customers and their daily lives.
The plant, which serves approximately 201,000 residents, is currently being monitored closely for water quality, as Halifax Water consults with the provincial Environment Department and medical officers of health to determine when the advisory can be lifted.
Myrick elaborated on the improvements made since the prior outage, asserting, "We were actually just a few days away from completing... to avoid this issue altogether." Plans for implementing automatic chlorination transitions were underway to prevent similar situations from arising again.
Halifax Water ensures residents will remain informed throughout this process and advised them to keep abreast of updates through official channels, particularly as the advisory is evaluated over the next two days.
The boil-water advisory highlights the community's reliance on safe drinking water and the importance of effective infrastructure management. Residents are urged to stay vigilant and adhere to the guidelines provided until the advisory is lifted.