Hundreds of people showed up to a pair of open houses in Saint John on Thursday. At issue: the water situation on the city’s west side.
More than 5,000 customers were switched over from surface to ground, or well water in the fall. Since then, there have been nearly 200 reports of leaking copper pipes.
Coun. Blake Armstrong represents west Saint John residents. He says the most important issue is the water they’re drinking now is much better than what was being supplied over the past century.
“Through this information that I found out the water didn’t meet the standards of today,” said Armstrong. “Now. nobody got sick or died from it but the standards are much higher today in society and so we’ve raised the standards going to the wells.”
“Ask the questions right here and answer them right here in the public,” added attendee Ron Gavin.
There seemed to be good participation in the various rooms but also recognition of the importance of a town hall-type gathering. “We have 20 experts to answer any questions but the feeling is they still want a general meeting where people can get up and ask questions and I’m sure the city’s going to do that,” said Armstrong.
Meanwhile, an investigation into the leaking copper pipes is underway. It could take several months to complete.