Boiled and bottled: city waiting on final tests for decision on water advisory

After four days of boiled and bottled water, Saskatoon residents might soon be able use their taps again.

Around 30,000 people in six neighbourhoods have been under a precautionary drinking water advisory since Monday, when a SaskPower contractor damaged a major water main on McOrmand Drive near Fedoruk Road.

The affected areas include Arbor Creek, Erindale, Evergreen, Forest Grove, University Heights Suburban Center and Willowgrove. Water-filling stations are still available for people to use at the same locations they’ve been located over the last four days.

Before the advisory can be lifted, two sets of water samples have to be confirmed safe.

The city said it expects the second tests to be completed Thursday afternoon.

Once the advisory is lifted, people in affected areas will need to complete these steps before consuming and using water as normal:

1. Run cold water faucets and drinking fountains for at least 1 minute before using the water.
2. Drain and flush the ice-making system in your refrigerator.
3. Run water softeners through a regeneration cycle.
4. Drain and refill hot water heaters set below 45°C (normal setting is 60°C).

This story will be updated as more information becomes available.