Prince Albert, Sask., working to restore water to rural customers

City officials in Prince Albert, Sask., are working on plan to reconnect businesses and rural customers to its water supply.

"We won't be doing this all in one day," said city manager Jim Toye.

"It will be over a period of time so we don't, it's called, shock the water system with heavy usage. That would cause some issues for us."

Hundreds of third-party customers were abruptly cut off from water on July 24 after Prince Albert shut down itswater treatment plant intake.

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The shutdown was done to protect Prince Albert's water system following the Husky Energy oil spill into the North Saskatchewan River. The city supplies a rural water utility that is connected to many small communities and individual homes.

Restoring water reservoirs

A water pipeline bringing water from the Little Red River has now been in operation for four days. The line from the South Saskatchewan River has been pumping water to Prince Albert's treatment plant for 24 hours.

"The quality of this water is very, very good. Very, very similar to the characteristics of the North Saskatchewan River."

Toyeaddedthe water reservoir and retention pond are now returning to the levels they were at before the oil spill.

City officials expect to announce a plan Thursday that will include a schedule of when third-party customers will have water restored.