Work underway on May 11, 2026 to fix the water main break on River Street that is impacting users across a large portion of east Kamloops. (Image Credit: Kent Simmonds/CFJC Today)
No Water Day!

Water main break forces Tuesday closure of six Kamloops schools

May 12, 2026 | 9:10 AM

KAMLOOPS — Six Kamloops schools in the neighbourhoods of Valleyview, Juniper Ridge, Dallas and Barnhartvale are closed Tuesday (May 12) as the City of Kamloops deals with a large-scale water main break.

It’s an unexpected break in classes for students in Valleyview Secondary School as well as Dallas, RL Clemitson, Ralph Bell, Juniper Ridge and Marion Schilling elementary schools, and it comes after the city issued a Water Restriction Notice early this morning.

“We understand that this short notice may create some challenges for families and students,” a statement from the Kamloops-Thompson School District (SD73) said. “School staff will be on site at each of the closed schools and available to receive and supervise students until they are able to be picked up this morning.”

“If you are a parent at any of the schools listed above, please contact your school to make arrangements to pick up your child as soon as you are able.”

SD73 said school buses are not be impacted by these closures, and that before and after school buses will run at their usual times for any students who still need transportation.  

The water woes began as a water main valve over the weekend but it had escalated into a water main break Monday.

The city said repairs are underway as crews have located the source of the leak, but there is no estimated time of completion. The water restriction applies to residents east of Rose Hill Road in the neighbourhoods of Barnhartvale, Campbell Creek, Dallas, Juniper Ridge, Rose Hill and Valleyview.

“Crews remain focused on repairing the critical water line failure supplying the east end of Kamloops,” the City of Kamloops statement added.

“To ensure repairs can be carried out as quickly and safely as possible, and to protect critical infrastructure, no water will be distributed through the system from Rose Hill eastwards. Maintaining sufficient water levels in City reservoirs for essential use continues to be the top priority.”