Water coming in from Alberta has raised the North Saskatchewan River, and as a precautionary measure, the City of North Battleford shut down one of their water treatment plants.
The precautionary closure follows concern over potential flooding in the area surrounding the plant.
“We’re now running off of water treatment centre number two, which is supplying sufficient demand for the city’s water supply. All of our reserves are full, the water tower is full, the reservoir is full, so we have lots of water on hand,” said North Battleford Fire Department’s deputy chief, Brian Wilson.
City officials are asking the public to avoid watering until the high flows subside. As in Saskatoon, people are being warned to avoid the river and its banks.
The water treatment center isn’t the only location in the city getting ready for the water. At the Battlefords District Care Centre, 7,000 sandbags surround the facility, waiting to be put to use when and if the water reaches the care home. The sandbags should keep the building safe, but the nearby sewage pump house is at risk.
“If we lose that lagoon and sewage pumping station for any length of time, we will have to evacuate,” said Prairie North Health Region spokesperson, Linda Lewis,
“We’re judging the situation minute by minute,” Lewis said.
Officials are calling this a one in 50 year flood. What’s usually a trickle under the bridge into the Town of Battleford is now a fast moving river with large debris floating by. And while the river looks impressive, both communities are on high ground and are expected to be safe.
“No one is being threatened in this event. We’re grateful for that,” said City of North Battleford Mayor Ian Hamilton. “All our infrastructure is above anything the water level will ever reach so we’re in good shape.”
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