Prince Albert is declaring a state of emergency as an oil spill in the North Saskatchewan River reaches the city’s water supply.
The move comes hours after the city shut down its water intake from the river.
Between 200,000 and 250,000 litres of crude oil and other material spilled into the North Saskatchewan River from a Husky Energy pipeline near Maidstone on Thursday.
Husky set up booms to contain the spill, but on Saturday debris broke through causing the oil to move further downstream.
North Battleford shut off its water supply intake on Friday, and Prince Albert closed its intake Monday morning as the spill reached the city.
The North Saskatchewan River is a major drinking water source for several Saskatchewan communities.
On Friday, Prince Albert officials warned residents to stock up on water by filling bathtubs and water jugs, in the event the city would need to shut down its water intake.
North Battleford has been relying on water reservoirs, which are only expected to last a few days, since shutting down its water intake.
Husky officials have been working to clean up the site and remove contaminated soil since the spill.
--- with files from The Canadian Press
