UPDATE: Water service restored in Juniper and Rose Hill, only safe for bathing and cleaning

UPDATE (11:30 a.m.): Water service has been restored for some neighbourhoods in east Kamloops that are impacted by a water main break in the city.

The City of Kamloops says residents and businesses in Juniper Ridge and Rose Hill can turn their taps back on under “do not drink or consume” and “conserve water” restrictions, as contaminants may remain. The city emphasizes that boiling water will not make it safe.

“Throughout the night, crews replenished reservoirs and cleared air from pipelines to temporarily restore water service for essential use only to most areas. However, use restrictions vary by zone,” the city states in an update Wednesday morning.

Currently, tap water in Juniper Ridge and Rose Hill is safe for bathing, flushing toilets and household cleaning. The water is not safe for brushing teeth, cooking or drinking, including for pets.

An update for residents in Barnhartvale, Campbell Creek, Dallas and Valleyview was not included.

Elsewhere, until further notice, the city says portions of River Street, Taylor Road, and 15th Avenue in downtown Kamloops are fully closed to motorists as crews work to repair the water main.

UPDATE (7:40 a.m.): One of the six public schools in east Kamloops neighbourhoods impacted by the water main break will remain closed Wednesday.

In a news release, SD73 says RL Clemitson Elementary will remain closed as the school will be without running water. School buses for students at the elementary school in Barnhartvale have been cancelled, and no transportation to and from the school will be provided.

However, the school district says Dallas Elementary, Ralph Bell Elementary, Juniper Ridge Elementary, Marion Schilling Elementary and Valleyview Secondary will reopen for regular classes Wednesday, with regular school bus service being provided.

While water service has returned to those five schools, the school district says the water is not consumable. Drinking water stations will be provided at each school for as long as needed.

EARLIER: KAMLOOPS — The City of Kamloops is working to re-pressurize the water system in the east end of the city to restore essential water service.

In an update shortly after 12:00 a.m. Wednesday (May 13), the city says crews will be opening hydrants in various locations throughout the impacted area east of Rose Hill Road to allow air to escape the system as water fills.

The city notes while seeing water flowing from hydrants may appear counterintuitive to residents of Barnhartvale, Campbell Creek, Dallas, Juniper Ridge, Rose Hill and Valleyview, it says it’s a critical part of restoring water service.

Impacted residents in those neighbourhoods must continue to avoid using water until further notice.

Elsewhere, School District 73 (SD73) says six schools in the impacted neighbourhoods are scheduled to reopen this morning unless further water restrictions continue.

In a letter posted online, SD73 Superintendent Mike St. John says Dallas Elementary, RL Clemitson Elementary, Ralph Bell Elementary, Juniper Ridge Elementary, Marion Schilling Elementary and Valleyview Secondary are set to reopen for regular classes.

While the city has informed the school district that there will be a boil water notice and do not consume water advisories once the water is back on, St. John says they have arranged for drinking water to be delivered to each school this morning, and will ensure safe drinking water is available at schools as long as needed.

St. John notes if water service is not restored by Wednesday morning, then schools will be closed again.

The city says its repair efforts on a leaking pipe that serves thousands of properties in east Kamloops were unsuccessful Tuesday (May 12), and that water system is compromised.

The city is planning to begin refilling its reservoirs in an effort to restore service to thousands of properties east of Rose Hill Road.

Drinking water trucks will be brought to three locations for a 48-hour period, starting at 12:00 a.m. (midnight) on Wednesday. Beginning Saturday, the trucks will keep a 6:00-a.m.-to-10:00-p.m. schedule.

Valleyview Arena – 353 Highland Road

Dallas Park – 5998 Todd Hill

BC Wildlife Park – 9077 Dallas Drive

This is a developing story, and more information will be provided once it’s available.

by Aaron Schulze

UPDATE: Water service restored in Juniper and Rose Hill, only safe for bathing and cleaning

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