Temporary water line up and running to North Battleford

A temporary water line running to North Battleford from the neighbouring town of Battleford is seen here on Aug. 2, 2016. The line was officially up and running Aug. 9. (Calvin To/CTV Saskatoon)

A temporary water line is up and running in North Battleford as the city continues to deal with the aftermath of last month’s Husky oil spill.

Water samples taken from the line, which runs to the city from a treatment plant in the nearby town of Battleford, showed no contamination late Tuesday morning.

Crews have since flushed out standing water from the pipe, and according to a city official, treated water is now flowing through the line.

North Battleford has been running on reserves since July 22, when the city shut down its water intakes from the North Saskatchewan River as oil from a Husky pipeline leak reached the community.

The leak, which was detected July 21, spilled up to 250,000 litres of oil mixed with a lighter hydrocarbon into the river near Maidstone.

Officials for North Battleford say the new line will increase the city’s water capacity by about 30 per cent.

Residents are still asked to conserve water. Only one water restriction — one stopping residents from watering their vegetable gardens — is being lifted, according to city officials.

Contractors are also drilling wells at a water treatment plant with the goal of having a second alternative water supply operating at the end of August.

Prince Albert and Melfort also closed their water intakes after the spill. Prince Albert is using temporary lines to pump in water from other sources while Melfort is drawing water from a reservoir.

--- with files from The Canadian Press