No faith in city’s water system: Critics

WINNIPEG — This city-wide boil water advisory has sent families, businesses, schools and hospitals into scramble mode.

And critics say this latest E.coli scare has shaken their faith in the city’s water supply.

Jennie Rempel doesn’t trust what comes out of her taps anymore.

“I don’t drink it unless it goes through a Brita filter. Otherwise it’s water bottles,” said Rempel.

For the second day in a row, Winnipeggers like Rempel have to boil water until further tests are done, after E.coli was found in the city’s water system.

But after having brown water last summer, Rempel said this is the final straw.

“What are we paying for?” said Rempel. “What’s happening? Why are there so many problems?”

The city issued a sudden boil water advisory late Tuesday. Some businesses including the food court at Polo Park closed for the morning, only opening later in the day after consulting with the city.

Rick Holley, a microbiologist at the University of Manitoba, said this likely won’t be the last scare we get.

“I sense this is not going to go away,” said Holley. “We know there are things wrong with the water distribution system in Winnipeg that drive purely from its age.”

Last winter, hundreds of residents had no water due to frozen pipes. Many more have dealt with water main breaks.

Larry Legace dealt with a major water main break in his Charleswood neighbourhood last winter. Crews had to replace pipes in the aging infrastructure.

“It’s Winnipeg, we’re old,” said Legace. “It’s an old town. There’s old pipes.”

Old pipes in desperate need of repairs, Holley said.

“I believe along with this boil water advisory, this serves as an embarrassment to the current administration,” said Holley. “Something needs to be done to address the shortcomings.”

Until then, Rempel will only boil or buy water.

“Certainly we’ve been having the most problems that I’ve ever seen.”