13,000 people in Sooke told to reduce water use in coming days

About 13,000 people on Vancouver Island are being asked to avoid using more water than absolutely necessary following a water main break near Sooke, B.C.

Alicia Fraser, manager of water services for the Capital Regional District, says a break in the water supply main was found early Friday morning, and they need residents to scale back water usage in order for repairs to move ahead.

"The next 24 hours will be critical for us," she said in an interview with CBCAll Points Westhost Jason D'Souza just after 3 p.m. PT Friday afternoon.

Fraser said the district has all the equipment and personnel needed to make the repairs, so she expects the work to be done in a matter of "days, not weeks," but warned it would still take time for the full extent of the damage to be realized.

She said initial reports indicate a fallen tree caused the break, but it won't be until the main is fully excavated from the ground that a complete picture of what went wrong and how long it will take to fix will become clear.

Asked whether residents should prepare for weeks-long rationing of water similar to what happened in Calgary this year, Fraser said, "I will never say never. However ... I don't anticipate there's going to be a larger trickle-down effect."

All Points West4:02Sooke water main break leads to call to limit water use

The Capital Regional District is asking 13,000 residents of Sooke, East Sooke, parts of the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area, and TSou-ke First Nation to think twice about how they use water over the next 24 hours, after a water main break was discovered early on September 27. Alicia Fraser, the general manager for integrated water servicesat the C.R.D., joined All Points West to explain.

Map shared showing impacted areas

In a statement, the district saidit found a break inthe water supply main leading to the Sooke River Road Disinfection Facility. The district is asking residents in the Sooke Drinking Water Service Area, includingSooke, East Sooke, parts of the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area andT'Sou-ke First Nation, to reduce their water usage until the break is repaired.

The district included a map outlining the affected areas.

"Every effort is being made to minimize impacts to water quality and supply," the district said. "The location of the break has been identified, and crews are onsite preparing to make the necessary repairs."

According to the district, it found the break at about 6 a.m. PT in Sooke Potholes Regional Park, just north of the treatment plant.

Fraser said in order to make the repairs, the district's water storage reservoir has to be filled before the main line can be drained, excavated and replaced as necessary.

"Then we will flush the line and turn on the tap again," she said.

For the moment, she says the ask is for residents to take shorter showers, avoid laundry and dishwashers and not leave taps running for longer than necessary.

The district says it will notify residents as more details become clear or if further actions are required.