Collingwood boil water advisory amended for most areas

The Collingwood water tower is pictured in this undated file image. (CTV News/Mike Arsalides)

The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit (SMDHU) and Town of Collingwood advised residents that the town-wide boil water advisory has been amended, but some areas remain affected.

4:39 p.m.

The town and SMDHU advised that the town-wide boil water advisory has been ammended.

“The advisory was originally issued broadly on a precautionary basis while the integrity and safety of the municipal water system were confirmed,” said the SMDHU in part of its notice. “It was determined that the impact is limited to specific areas of the community and does not affect the entire town.”

In an interview with CTV News, Mayor Yvonne Hamlin said the fear of contamination from groundwater after the watermain break led to the SMDHU’s advisory.

She spoke about the response by residents while she was at Central Park Arena and the Royal Canadian Legion, where bottled water was being distributed.

“We have a great community. Volunteers were coming out, the gentleman who owns Tim Hortons came by to these outdoor centres to deliver coffee and doughnuts,” said Hamlin. “That’s the silver lining.”

She also confirmed that local businesses were able to open for Saturday evening.

The areas remaining under a boil water advisory include eastern and southern parts of the town, specifically, Highway 26 East, properties east of Pretty River and properties between Poplar Side Road and Tracey Lane/Findlay Drive.

Other households are still urged to run all facets for at least five minutes.

The cause of the watermain break remains unknown.

9:29 a.m.

In a Saturday morning notice, the town confirmed that repairs of the watermain that broke on Friday were completed at around 2:45 a.m. overnight.

However, the test results of the water samples from areas that may have been contaminated will ‘take time’ to be accurately reflected. Therefore, the town said the advisory will remain in effect until ‘further notice.’ It will be lifted once the SMDHU determines that the water is safe.

Residents were urged to continue reducing water usage to help conserve supply, and to avoid the Pretty River Parkway and Hume Street intersection where the watermain break happened.

The town says there was significant water loss at the time of the watermain break and that the Water Treatment Plant remained operational throughout the incident. Staff worked to maintain system pressure and restore emergency water levels within the reservoirs and water tower.

In a second Saturday morning notice, the town advised that bottled water distribution stations have opened for those who are unable to boil water.

They will operate from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. at Central Park Area (85 Patterson Street) and at the Royal Canadian Legion (490 Ontario Street). One case will be available per person per household.