Credit: Mike Bird - Pexels

By Jesse Gill

Water quality issues in Bow Island limit availability in Burdett

Jul 24, 2024 | 5:32 PM

The County of Forty Mile No. 8 said Wednesday it is holding off on filling the Hamlet of Burdett water system due to problems at the Bow Island water plant.

The Town of Bow Island assured residents Tuesday that their tap water remains safe to drink and use despite discolouration.

The discolouration is due to an alteration in the intake of the town’s water source, authorities said in a statement Tuesday.

Progress is being made at the water plant and the issue was expected to be resolved within the next one to two days, officials added.

Astatement from the County of Forty Miles No. 8 on Wednesday said the the water quality is improving.

WHAT'S ON

Here is what's on in Medicine Hat and area this weekend: Sept. 6-8

Sep 06, 2024

WHAT'S ON

Top five things to do at the Medicine Hat Public Library in September

Sep 03, 2024

WHAT'S ON

Here is what's on this weekend: Labour Day 2024

Aug 30, 2024

However, the Highway 3 water commission operators have temporarily shut down flushing operations due to low water levels in the Bow Island cistern.

Limiting water consumption in Burdett could eliminate the need for the county to refill the Burdett system before water quality improves.

The cistern is currently at 67 per cent and will not be allowed to drop below 50 per cent due to firefighting concerns, the county said in a statement Wednesday.

The county also put a fire restriction in effect for the County of Forty Mile No. 8 as of 4 p.m. on Wednesday.

The fire restriction will remain in place until further notice.

All outside fire permits are cancelled and no new permits will be issued at this time.