Ucluelet First Nation under state of emergency after barge, tsunami damages water main
Residents in the Ucluelet First Nation on the west coast of Vancouver Island have been warned not to use their household water for anything besides flushing toilets after an underwater water main that serves the community was damaged.
The Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ government has declared a state of emergency over the water main break, which occurred Monday.
The District of Ucluelet believes that Saturday's tsunami near Tongo, and a passing boat, are the causes of the damage.
District officials say they could see the water level rising and lowering in the inlet every few minutes for an hour and a half after the tsunami occurred.
"We think it dislodged the line from its anchorage in the bottom of the inlet and what would have happened then is it would have floated up to the surface, and that's where the tug would have impacted it," said Duane Lawrence, chief administrative officer with the District of Ucluelet on Wednesday.
As repairs are underway, bottled water is being trucked into the community. A local motel is also offering shower services.
"Much gratitude is extended to the West Coast Motel and their staff," said an update from the Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ government Tuesday.
The District of Ucluelet and an industrial dive team have been working to repair the damaged water main.
The damaged section of the water main must be floated out of the water, inspected, repaired, then reattached underwater, says the municipality.
On Tuesday, the district said about 300 metres of line was cut and brought onshore for inspection.
"Work on the damaged water line is progressing well and our public works team is moving quickly to re-establish this critical line back to service and re-supplying water to Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ," said the district in an update Tuesday.
Both the district and Ucluelet First Nation say there's no timeline for when residents can use water again safely.
"In order for the state of emergency to be lifted, the water system needs to be flushed and thorough testing must be done on the tap water to ensure it is safe for consumption," said the Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ government in an update Tuesday.
"This process will take some time," reads the update. "As more information is gathered, further updates will be issued."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
Most of Canada to receive emergency alert test today
The federal government will test its capacity to issue emergency alerts today, with the exception of Ontario, where the test will take place on May 15.
OPINION What King Charles' schedule being too 'full' to accommodate son suggests about relationship with Prince Harry
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
Seafood, eat food: Calgary Stampede releases Midway menu
The Calgary Stampede has released its menu of sweet, salty and spicy treats available on the Midway for the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.
Ontario man devastated to learn $150,000 line of credit isn't insured after wife dies
An Ontario man found out that a line of credit he thought was insured actually isn't after his wife of 50 years died.
Boy Scouts of America is rebranding. Here's why they've changed their name
After more than a century, Boy Scouts of America is rebranding as Scouting America, another major shakeup for an organization that once proudly resisted change.
Trial begins for Winnipeg serial killer who claims he was mentally ill
The trial of a man who admits he killed four women in Winnipeg is set to begin Wednesday, and a law professor says lawyers for Jeremy Skibicki have multiple hurdles to clear for a defence of mental illness.
These adults born in the '90s partnered with their parents to buy homes in Ontario
An Ontario woman said it would have been impossible to buy a house without her mother – an anecdote that animates the fact that over 17 per cent of Canadian homeowners born in the ‘90s own their property with their parents, according to a new report.
New Canadian study could be a lifesaver for thousands suffering from CTE
A first-of-its-kind Canadian research study is working towards a major medical breakthrough for a brain disorder, believed to be caused by repeated head injuries, that can only be detected after death.