Halifax Water releases preliminary report on boil-water advisory
Halifax Water is taking steps to enhance communication with Nova Scotia Power and establish clear protocols for issuing municipal advisories and provincial alerts following a recent boil-water advisory that impacted homes, businesses, and health-care facilities in January.
According to a preliminary report submitted to the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board, there are 14 recommendations aimed at addressing the issues that led to the boil-water advisory. The report highlights the timeline of events, potential causes, and the corrective actions taken after unchlorinated water was released into the distribution system.
The boil-water advisory, which was in effect from January 21-22, marked the second interruption at the J.D. Kline water treatment plant within a year. A similar incident occurred in July, although the causes were different in each case.
The July incident was attributed to a failure of the electrical safety systems, which prevented the main emergency generator from activating and led to a loss of power to the chlorination system. In contrast, the January event saw a backup generator engage during a planned power outage, but fuses for the water pumps were blown during the power transfer, disrupting the disinfection process.
Despite the interruption in disinfection, Halifax Water ensured that all other water treatment processes were carried out. The decision to issue a boil-water advisory was made in compliance with regulatory requirements and guidance from the Nova Scotia Department of Environment and Climate Change.
A final report detailing the findings and recommendations is set to be submitted to the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board on March 21.
Moving forward, Halifax Water is committed to improving collaboration with Nova Scotia Power, refining advisory protocols, and implementing measures to prevent similar incidents from reoccurring. By addressing the root causes of the interruptions and enhancing communication channels, the utility aims to safeguard the water supply and protect the health and well-being of the community.
