EXSHAW – Wastewater is being pumped into the Bow River in Exshaw to keep it from backing up in residents’ basements.
According to the MD of Bighorn, wastewater collection systems at the east lift station, and at the wastewater lagoon, are experiencing extreme volumes and cannot keep up to all the flow due to rising groundwater levels.
Alberta Environment and Parks (AEP) was contacted and a boil water advisory is in effect for those residents on a well system, but not for those residents who are connected to the municipal water system.
Al Hogarth, the MD's utilities foreman, said that to prevent wastewater from backing up into residents' basements in lower Exshaw, AEP has given approval to pump wastewater from the lift station into the culvert under Highway 1A, and ultimately into the Bow River.
“We are also discharging from the wastewater lagoon to the Bow River,” Hogarth said in a website post Thursday evening (June 4).
“Although the wastewater that we are pumping is diluted with large volumes of groundwater, we are recommending that residents on a private well boil their water prior to consumption,” he added.
“As per Alberta Environment and Parks, the wastewater release will be tested throughout this event.”
Dozens of Exshaw residents have been pumping thousands of litres of water out of their basements this week as significant levels of groundwater have flooded the hamlet.
According to the Alberta government when a boil water advisory is in effect:
- Don’t use tap water for drinking, preparing food, making juices, and vegetables, making rice, or preparing infant formula when drinking water.
- Throw away any ice, filtered water, drinks, or food made with contaminated water.
- Don’t use a home water filter to try to make your water safe. Home water filters are not able to safely treat contaminated water.
- Don’t give your pets tap water to drink.
- Don't use tap water for a pod-style coffee maker. A regular drip coffee maker tends to be safe to use as the water reaches a high enough temperature.
To make you water safe to drink:
- Bring your water to a rolling boil for at least one minute before drinking and preparing food.
- Store boiled water in a clean and covered container in the fridge after letting it cool.
For more information on boil water advisories, go to https://myhealth.alberta.ca/Alberta/Pages/Boil-water-advisory-how-to-use-water-safely.aspx.
