(UPDATE) Laundry, dishwashing, shorter showers: Fort St. John people asked to delay non-essential water use after leak discovery

Updated, February 3rd, 5 p.m.: This story was updated to clarify when residents are being asked to conserve water.

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Emergency repairs to Fort St. John’s feeder water main are set to begin later this week and the community is being asked to save as much water when that starts.

According to the City of Fort St. John in a February 2nd press release, a “recently discovered” leak in the feeder water main, which supplies raw water from city wells near the Peace River to the water treatment facility, requires immediate repairs. 

Repairs to the 11‐kilometre, 18‐inch steel pipeline are set to begin on Thursday, February 5th. While work is underway, the city will be unable to refill its water reservoirs.

According to the city, Fort St. John currently uses about 7,300 cubic metres of water per day, while the reservoirs hold enough water to last four to five days under normal use. 

To ensure enough water remains available for essential services – including fire protection – residents and businesses are being asked to conserve as much water as possible while repairs are carried out.

The city is encouraging people to delay non-essential water use such as laundry and dishwashing, take shorter showers, avoid refilling hot tubs and reduce overall household and commercial water consumption whenever possible.

In addition, the bulk water dispensing stations will be closed until repairs are completed.

Repairs are expected to be completed within 48 hours. However, the city says contingency plans are in place, including the potential use of overland pumping from the Peace River wells if the work takes longer than expected.

The city says it will monitor reservoir levels closely and provide updates as repairs progress.

The feeder water main was initially installed in 1996.