Sewer main leak leads Duncan to turn off well, boil water advisory issued

A boil water advisory has been issued for the City of Duncan after a sewer main break led to one of the wells being turned off as a precaution.

The city issued the boil water advisory for all residents and businesses connected to the water distribution system.

If you’re using water, you’re advised to boil all tap water for at least one minute before drinking, cooking or brushing teeth.

The city says there is no confirmed contamination in the water distribution system.

“A recent sewer main break near McAdam Park caused untreated wastewater to leak,” the city said in the advisory.

“Although not in the immediate vicinity of the leak, one of the City’s wells has been turned off as a safeguard while further testing is ongoing. The other City wells are still active.”

The city says the advisory will remain in place until testing has been completed.

Island Health says this advisory is affecting between 301 and 10,000 connections.

When a boil water advisory is issued, the health authority says water should be boiled for drinking, including when using additives like fruit juice or iced tea; food preparation, including washing fruits and vegetables that will not be cooked; coffee machines; brushing teeth; infant formulas; making ice; fruit and vegetable washing; home canning; beer and wine making and water for pets.

When the advisory is lifted, it is advised that residents flush all water-using fixtures for one minute, drain and flush all ice-making machines in your refrigerator, run water softeners through a regeneration cycle, drain and refill hot water tanks set below 45 C, and change any pre-treatment filters.

Find more information about boil water advisories on Island Health’s website.