Friday, February 1, 2019

Nisga'a prepared for any future Prince Rupert Water problems


While most Prince Rupert residents are  no longer required to Boil their water for home consumption, preparation by homeowners for possible future waters situations appears to be in motion.

That as the list of local residents that are installing their own UV filtration systems seems to be on the rise, with local plumbers working at a hectic pace to install the units for those that can afford them.

One North Coast group that is also making plans for any future water concerns in the city is the Nisga'a Lisims Government, which has responded to a request from the Gitmaxmak’ay Nisga’a Prince Rupert/Port Edward Society towards putting in place their own program for Nisga'a residents in the Prince Rupert urban area.

As we noted last week, the six week Boil Order Notice facing Prince Rupert residents was lifted last Friday, an announcement that featured the following advisories for those that still were required to boil their water:

A Water Quality Advisory does remain in place as a precaution for those considered most ‘at risk’. A Water Quality Advisory indicates a level of risk associated with consuming the drinking water, but the conditions do not warrant a boil water notice or do-not-use water notice. 

It is the lowest level notification, and is issued as a precautionary measure (particularly to those with compromised immune systems that they should take appropriate steps, such as boiling their water prior to consuming).

The guidelines for the public during the Boil Water Notice and now through the Water Quality Advisory that is still in effect became a major item of note for local Nisga'a leaders.

Prior to the lifting of the Boil Water Notice, the local Nisga'a Society had requested funding towards the purchase and installation of a Commercial grade reverse osmosis filtration station at the Gitmaxmak'ay Hall in Prince Rupert. 

As well as the water system, the Nisga'a Lisims Government has provided funding for a supply of large water jugs for rotation among elders an any others that may need extra assistance.

The funding request was granted by the NLG over January 23-24 in order to ease the burden on the Nisga'a residents of the Prince Rupert/Port Edward area and will  now be available should any future emergency situations arise.

You can review the announcement from the Nisga'a Lisims Government here.



Last Monday, Prince Rupert City Council reviewed its plans moving forward as a result of the six week Boil Water Notice, with Council requesting an after action report from city staff on the city's response to the situation and how they can address concerns that were raised from it.

For a look back at the notes of the Boil Order Notice and post boil period see our archive page here.

To return to the most recent blog posting of the day, click here.

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