The emergency response manager of Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation has indicated that the boil water advisory currently in effect for Pelican Narrows is anticipated to be lifted within the next day. Due to a critical failure in the community’s raw water intake system on Sunday night, the First Nation, which boasts a membership of over 4,000 individuals, has had to source water from neighboring communities in recent days. However, Duane Hiebert confirmed on Friday that the reservoir in the water tank is nearly full.
According to a news release from the PBCN, the issue stemmed from a reduction in water intake into the treatment system, necessitating urgent water conservation measures to prevent potential system shutdown and damage if water levels decrease significantly.
Hiebert mentioned that many community members are facing challenges in accessing water, prompting volunteers and locals to distribute water directly to households for drinking and cooking purposes.
Despite initial concerns about the water pump freezing and drying up, Hiebert assured that no such incidents have occurred, eliminating the need for evacuations. The expectation is that the boil water advisory will soon be revoked.
In related developments, Ryan King, a technician from AECOM, revealed that divers are scheduled to investigate the infrastructure in the lake on Saturday. The lake intake, established in 1981, has historically served as a reliable water source for the community until the recent incident.
The inspection will involve examining a 200-millimeter line submerged in up to 20 feet of water, equipped with a protective screen at the end to prevent debris and fish from entering. The divers will visually inspect the screen, determining if it is blocked or damaged, before examining the 500-foot pipe at the lake bottom if no immediate issues are identified.
King acknowledged the rarity of sudden structural damage and highlighted the financial challenges associated with replacing the line or screen. However, he expressed confidence that the community’s current stability will facilitate a return to normalcy in the coming week.