State of Emergency declared over in Northeastern Manitoulin and the Islands
UPDATE:
The 'state of emergency' has been declared over as of Saturday evening.
In a Facebook post, Mayor Alan MacNevin stated that “through focused efforts of Ontario Clean Water Agency the plant is running a normal capacity once again.”
Adding that it was a group effort to get the issue resolved quickly.
MacNevin thanked residents for their patience, understanding and cooperation throughout the day.
The Facebook update wrapped up with a reminder for the area with MacNevin saying, “as always, we encourage water conservation and responsible use.”
ORIGINAL:
A 'state of emergency' has been declared in Northeastern Manitoulin and the Islands after a water pump failed at the Little Current water treatment plant.
Mayor Al MacNevin made the declaration just before noon on Saturday morning. Around 9:00 a.m., residents were told if they didn't cut back then the town of Little Current would run out of water.
"One of the pumps failed and another one that was supposed to be a back up, didn't kick in so they brought another pump from another location and they're still having trouble getting it up to full capacity," MacNevin told CTVNews.
The mayor says why the pump failed is still unclear and crews are still investigating what happened at the facility.
Truckloads of bottled water are being distributed to those in town and is being delivered to those in need of physical assistance.
MacNevin says this is going to have an impact on restaurants, the hotel, the marina have all been asked to cut back. The Ontario Clean Water Agency has also been called as part of the declaration.
"It is producing some water but at a very limited rate so the less people use it the more that is available for when you absolutely need it but at some point in time our understandings is it might not be enough and then we'll be out of water," he said.
It's unclear on when they'll reach that point, that depends on the current level of consumption.
He's hoping the declaration will provide them with some answers as to how long they'll be facing this problem.
"It's a huge impact, in terms of COVID being shutdown and people reopening, you have a busy summer weekend and restaurants have closed and people are having to rely on bottled water, it's a big problem," he said.
The plant serves the area of Little Current and its surrounding area. As it stands now, the plant in Sheguiandah remains unaffected.
Once the plant does get up and running to full capacity, there will be concerns over water quality and pressure in the lines so residents are being asked to follow the direction of town officials.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Breast cancer screening should start at age 40, Canadian Cancer Society says
The Canadian Cancer Society says all provinces and territories should lower the starting age for breast cancer screening to 40.
DEVELOPING Live updates as Stormy Daniels testifies at Trump hush money trial
Adult film star Stormy Daniels is on the stand a second time Thursday as former U.S. president Donald Trump’s hush money case continues in Manhattan. Follow live updates here.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.
Why these immigrants to Canada say they're thinking about leaving, or have already moved on
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
BREAKING Sheldon Keefe out as head coach of Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs have fired head coach Sheldon Keefe. The team made the announcement Thursday after the Original Six franchise lost to the Boston Bruins in seven games in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Boeing 737 catches fire and skids off the runway at a Senegal airport, injuring 10 people
A Boeing 737-300 plane carrying 85 people skidded off a runway at the airport in Dakar, Senegal's capital, injuring 10 people, according to the transport minister, an airline safety group and footage from a passenger that showed the aircraft on fire.
Canadian-Israeli man shot dead in Egypt; claim links killing to Gaza
A Canadian man 'of Jewish Israeli descent' has been shot dead in the Egyptian city of Alexandria in a suspected criminal case, a security source said, while a previously unknown militant group said it carried out the attack in reaction to the war in Gaza.