Situation improving at McGill University superhospital after water main break

MONTREAL — A major Montreal health network started to reopen medical services Friday after an overnight aqueduct break cut drinkable water to its superhospital site.

The McGill University Health Centre said water pressure was returning and officials were working to ensure a safe resumption of normal operations after a “major aqueduct failure.” Clinical services were expected to resume over the course of the day, including the emergency room, day surgeries and outpatient care.

Earlier in the day, the hospital centre diverted ambulances from its facilities and cancelled appointments after a water main break left its Glen superhospital site in the Notre-Dame-de-Grâce borough without drinkable water.

The break impacted the massive complex that includes the Royal Victoria Hospital, the Cedars Cancer Centre, Montreal Chest Institute, Montreal Children’s Hospital and the Research Institute of the MUHC. The Glen site is considered a “superhospital” because it is composed of several medical centres.

The City of Montreal said a 12-inch pipe had burst. A city spokesman said Friday that authorities first learned of the water main break about 1:30 a.m. but waited until about 7:30 a.m. to shut the valve to give the hospital flexibility and allow it to continue operating as long as possible.

All surgeries except emergency procedures were cancelled Friday morning; chemotherapy patients were receiving treatment as scheduled. Patients and staff were being given bottled water.

Later, the MUHC said in a statement that as the water pressure came back, teams were ensuring a safe return to normal. “Clinical services will ramp up over the course of the day, including ER, surgeries and ambulatory services,” the hospital centre said.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 12, 2024.

Sidhartha Banerjee, The Canadian Press