Nanaimo residents urged to stop using water after powerful windstorm

Dec 21, 2018 | 3:01 PM

NANAIMO, B.C. — The City of Nanaimo has a dire message to its residents: don’t use the City’s water supply.

Director of engineering and public works Bill Sims said storm related issues impacting the water treatment plant have resulted in extremely low supply.

Sims said the limited availability of water is required for the fire department.

“This is of critcal importance, if we lose too much water from the plant we’ll have to shut the City’s water taps off,” Sims said.

Sims stressed water quality is not the problem and it’s safe to drink, but supply is the dire concern.

It’s unclear when the problem will be resolved, Sims told NanaimoNewsNOW.

Sims said the generator powering the water treatment plant failed, while other computer related problems are impacting the plant’s ability to process necessary water supply.

“It impacted the functionality of the water treatment plant, we are unable to sustain production…we do have generator power, but a number of functions have been disrupted.”

Sims said the Nanaimo Aquatic Centre, Nanaimo Ice Centre, and Frank Crane Arena and the neighbouring pool are closed until further notice.

The City says there is no estimate for when the water treatment plant will be fully operational again.

Staff are preparing contingency plans if the plant doesn’t return to full capacity soon.

Residents and businesses on City of Nanaimo water supply are urged to cut back on all usage. The water is still safe to drink but supply should be strictly limited.