Listen to this article
Estimated 3 minutes
The audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology. Mispronunciations can occur. We are working with our partners to continually review and improve the results.
About half of the town of Holyrood is without water as a team works to fix the community’s system, which has been out of order for the last week.
“The water situation in Holyrood is not good right now,” Mayor Laura Crawley told CBC News Saturday morning. “We are close to crisis mode, but we are trying to manage as best we can.”
Crawley said the town discovered major water loss due to a leak in the water tank on Aug. 22.
After shutting down the water supply to different parts of the town, Crawley said the repair team found multiple leaks in the water system.
Although the leaks were fixed as they were discovered, Crawley said the tank struggled to regain its water supply.
Additionally, on Friday, she said the team found the water pump on the well that supplies water to the southside of Holyrood wasn’t working.
“Unfortunately, it’s not a supply issue. There’s lots of water in the wells,” said Crawley. “It’s a delivery problem and right now the pump completely broke down.”
Residents in Holyrood’s southside remain without water since 1 p.m. on Friday.
To support residents without water, Crawley said the town has set up a water station and providing bottled water at the town hall. Residents can bring containers to collect water from a truck located at the intersection of Thermal Plant Road and the Conception Bay Highway.
Crawley said multiple businesses including Mary Brown’s and Tim Hortons have had to close due to the water issue. Gas stations and convenience stores remain open.
The town has enlisted teams to monitor the water system while they await the new pump, she said.
Currently the town is working to install a temporary pump, while a new one is shipped from New Brunswick.
Crawley wasn’t able to provide a timeline for repairs. She said residents can expect information and updates about the situation on the town’s website and Facebook page.
The next update is expected at 4 p.m. NT.
Download our free CBC News app to sign up for push alerts for CBC Newfoundland and Labrador. Sign up for our daily headlines newsletter here. Click here to visit our landing page.