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A power spike is likely behind the systems failure at the water treatement plant, Redcliff's mayor said. File Photo/CHAT News

Redcliff boil water advisory expected to remain in place for days, mayor says

Jul 14, 2024 | 8:00 PM

The Town of Redcliff remains under a water boil advisory Monday that could stay in place for days after a systems failure caused a high-level emergency at the water treatment plant.

Mayor Dwight Kilpatrick told CHAT News on Sunday the uninterrupted power supply to the plant’s main computer was disrupted, likely due to a power spike.

Community members would’ve experienced little to no water pressure, discolouration and poor taste before the town advised of the restrictions on social media.

Continuous power was redirected as crews and the town’s operations manager worked to manually restart the water distribution systems and return pressure to water lines.

The plant has resumed operations, however, it will be under constant monitoring until systems are fully restored.

Alberta Environment and Alberta Health Services require specific criteria to be reached before the water advisory is removed, something Kilpatrick said could take days.

The mayor said there was a concern at one point Sunday that water systems would remain offline.

“There was an initial worry, but I’m very optimistic that it [water distribution systems] can stay running,” Kilpatrick said.

Kilpatrick also said the disruption on Sunday is unrelated to the water main break that occured early last week.

The town said later on Sunday that Redcliff Splash Park is closed until further notice.

Redcliff’s water boil advisory has no apparent impact to the City of Medicine Hat as the town operates its own water system and treatment plant separate from any other municipality.

This is a developing story.