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Halifax water utility says blown fuses at plant led to release of unchlorinated water

Click to play video: 'As boil water advisory ends, Halifax Water faces scrutiny from mayor'
As boil water advisory ends, Halifax Water faces scrutiny from mayor
RELATED: As boil water advisory ends, Halifax Water faces scrutiny from mayor – Jan 23, 2025

Halifax’s water utility has issued a preliminary report on the cause of last month’s boil water advisory that affected more than 200,000 people.

In a report released today, Halifax Water says a power outage on Jan. 20 blew fuses to the water pumps at its Pockwock plant, even though the facility’s backup generator was functional.

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The utility says the resulting loss of power to the equipment interrupted the chlorine disinfection process.

The backup chlorination system became airlocked and as a result water was pumped out of the plant for 66 minutes without receiving a final treatment of chlorine.

Officials lifted the boil water advisory on Jan. 23, and Halifax Water says it will release a final report on the plant malfunction on March 21.

A similar boil advisory was issued in July after partially chlorinated water was released from the plant following electrical problems and the failure of its emergency generator.

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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 4, 2025.

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