Water restrictions continue in Prince Albert, Sask., after Husky Energy oil spill
Province issues warning recreation warning for North Saskatchewan River
The strict water restrictions continue in Prince Albert, Sask., as the city copes with an oil slick making its way down the North Saskatchewan River, following a Husky Energy spill last week.
Work crews are racing to pipe water from the South Saskatchewan River. It's expected that work could be done as early as tomorrow, bringing the city's water plant back to full capacity.
Until then, however, the local state of emergency remains in place, and the city can issue $1,400 fines whenever they see someone wasting water.
Here are the measures the city has taken to save water:
- Closure of car washes.
- Closure of laundromats.
- Closure of the city's municipal water crane.
- Prohibition on all outdoor irrigation, except for areas using reclaimed water.
- Washing of sidewalks, driveways, tennis courts, patios and other paved areas.
- Outdoor use of water-based play apparatus.
- Restaurants and other food service establishments serving municipal potable water to customers, except upon request.
- Operation of outdoors misting systems used to cool areas.
- Filling of swimming pools, hot tubs, fountain spas, or other outdoor water features.
- Washing of automobiles, trucks, trailers and other vehicles.
- Watering of lawns and gardens.
Province monitoring North Saskatchewan River
Meanwhile, the provincial government has issued a warning to stay out of the North Saskatchewan River, as a result of the Husky Energy spill near Maidstone.
Activities not recommended in the North Saskatchewan River are:
Our first priority is the health and safety of our residents.- Director of environmental health Tim Macaulay
- Swimming.
- Tubing, wakeboarding or skiing.
- Other forms of recreation where people come in direct contact with the water.
- Allowing pets or livestock in the water.
- Eating fish from the river.
"Our first priority is the health and safety of our residents," director of environmental health for the Ministry of Health Tim Macaulay said.
"We believe it's wise to take these precautionary steps until authorities have determined that the river water quality does not pose a risk to public safety."
The province suggests boating, and catch and release fishing pose no risk.