EDMONTON – A mandatory boil water advisory has been issued for the Town of Drayton Valley.
Alberta Health Services (AHS) issued the advisory Sunday afternoon. It will remain in place until further notice.
During a boil water advisory, water should not be used for drinking, making infant formula and juices, cooking, making ice, washing fruits, vegetables or brushing teeth. For these purposes, boiled or treated or bottled water should be used. The water should be brought to a rapid rolling boil for one minute.
On Monday, Catholic and Public schools in the area were closed because of the boil water advisory.
St. Anthony School and Holy Trinity Academy were closed for Monday, May 5, but were expected to reopen on Tuesday. Bus service was also not operating on Monday.
Wild Rose School Division Schools Closed Due to Boil Water Advisory
Schools in the Wild Rose School Division in the Town of Drayton Valley were also closed on Monday. The division said staff would implement appropriate measures to have all schools open on Tuesday, although the situation could change as it develops. Buses for the division were also cancelled on Monday.
“The number one priority is the health of our students and staff,” said WRSD Superintendent, Brian Celli.
“We understand that closing the schools on such short notice is a major inconvenience but we felt it necessary to ensure safety needs were met.”
The advisory is the result of recent circumstances concerning the North Saskatchewan River, which has led to a decrease in the Town of Drayton Valley’s water treatment capability.
The town says there is an increased level of turbidity in the water.
“Turbidity is essentially a measure of water quality,” explained Drayton Valley Mayor Glenn McLean. “It’s water with sediment. And when we draw it from the North Saskatchewan River, in this case, it clogs the filters in our water intake system.”
The town is asking residents to continue to limit their water consumption until the issue can be resolved.
More information and tips about the boil water advisory is available on Alberta Health Services’ website and Drayton Valley’s website.
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