Edmonton’s ban on non-essential water use to last until Feb. 4
Posted January 30, 2024 11:53 am.
Last Updated January 30, 2024 3:38 pm.
EPCOR’s mandatory ban on non-essential water use for Edmonton and its surrounding areas is continuing Tuesday.
Residents and businesses were told Monday to limit their water use after a failure in the distribution pumping system at the E.L. Smith Water Treatment Plant.
In an update Tuesday afternoon, EPCOR says the non-essential water ban, will be in place until Sunday, Feb. 4.
EPCOR says work is being done to repair the electrical feed system to the 4,000 horsepower distribution pumps, which includes replacing electric cables within the treatment plant.
Two of four pumps within the plant have been temporarily restored and have resumed operation Tuesday. However, EPCOR says the two larger pumps
EPCOR also notes that once the repairs are fully complete, they will need time to replenish the reservoir system, before the ban can be lifted.
The Rossdale plant remains operational but can’t supply the entire service area with normal water consumption.
The company adds there has been a “noticeable reduction in water consumption” since the ban.
“Over 300 businesses with high water usage and non-essential operations were contacted on Monday and EPCOR would like to extend a large thank you to these customers as they reduced consumption to essential use or completely halted operations,” EPCOR said in a news release.
“EPCOR recognizes that for many residents and businesses this is a significant inconvenience, but for some businesses there are real financial impacts.”
Monday alone, the average water usage fell from 370 million litres per day to 340 million, and continued to lower into Tuesday.
WATCH: EPCOR issues water ban for Edmonton region
Edmontonians are being told to take measures such as delaying laundry and turning taps off while brushing teeth. Businesses like laundromats and car washes that use large volumes of non-essential water were asked to halt water use.
There is no impact to the quality of drinking water, the company says.
EPCOR will provide an update Tuesday at 3 p.m.
–With files from The Canadian Press
