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Break-in results in drinking water advisory

May 13, 2015 | 3:48 PM

A drinking water advisory has been issued by the Prince Albert Rural Water Utility, following a break-in Wednesday morning at one its pumping stations.

The advisory applies to an area north of Township Road to Spruce Home. 

There are fears that the water may have been contaminated.

“While we didn’t see that there was any threat of contamination, it didn’t appear any tanks had been opened or anything like that, I guess out of abundance of caution they (Water Security Agency) figured it was prudent to issue a drinking water advisory,” said Ken Danger, manager of Prince Albert Rural Water Utility.

The advisory means tap water is not safe to drink and should not be used for cooking. Any attempts to treat the water, such as boiling, freezing, or freezing it, are also discouraged.

Danger said they have flushed the lines and disposed of any water that was in the tanks.  Test samples have now been sent to the research council and the advisory will be lifted once the tests indicate the water is safe.

“Probably next week, I don’t think it’s reasonable to expect it would be back by Friday,” he said.

Danger plans to contact the RCMP to investigate the break-in.

– with files from Thia James

nmaxwell@panow.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell