Water Service Disruptions

Disruptions to your water service can occur from time to time throughout the year. This can be due to a water main break, service repair or pipe maintenance or replacement. Sometimes this work means there is a risk that your water is not safe to drink. In these cases a Drinking Water Advisory letter will be dropped off at each home or business that is affected. If a Drinking Water Advisory letter has been delivered to your home, you can track the progress of the repair.

Reporting a Water Main Break

Signs of a water main break include running water on the street, a sinkhole, water suddenly not turning on or sudden changes to the water pressure. If you think there may be a water main break please contact us immediately to report it.

By Phone:

Regular office hours:
Please contact Public Works during regular office hours at (306) 953-4900.

After-Hours (weekends, evenings and holidays)
Please contact the After-Hours Assistance - Non Emergency line after regular office hours at (306)953-4348.

By Email:
Watermain or Connection Break Report a Concern Form

Causes of Water Main Breaks

Pipe age and condition, soil condition, pipe material and pressure changes in the water system can all play a part in a water main break, but one of the biggest causes is freezing temperatures. Cold temperatures in the winter cause water mains to contract and in the spring warmer temperatures cause pipes to expand. In some cases, and especially with cast iron pipes where there is very little flexibility, this is enough to cause a break in the water main. The freeze-thaw cycles in the spring also cause the ground to shift which contributes to water main breaks.

Water Main Break Repair Timelines

A Drinking Water Advisory is usually lifted between 8 and 14 days. There are eight steps to a repair that happen before a Drinking Water Advisory can be lifted. The excavation and repair of the pipe is usually done in under 48 hours but the flushing, water quality testing and delivery of Drinking Water Advisory lifted notices can take longer. The length of time depends on outside factors like other water main breaks, needs for re-sampling or unknown underground conditions.

Water Main Replacement Projects

Water Main replacement projects are capital projects that include the replacement of an entire line of water main. There are usually 6-8 projects per year and each project can take several weeks to complete. To find out about the scheduled replacement projects, please view the maps on the Paving Program webpage. Projects for the upcoming year are listed as utility digs on the list.

For planned projects, notices are hand delivered 48 hours in advance and provide a timeframe for the work to be completed.

If the project requires that water be shut off for more than 48 hours a water truck will be supplied. You will need to bring a container to collect the water from the tank. You can use this water as you would use the water from your tap (i.e. drinking, cooking, etc.). If the tank gets low, contact Public Works.

Service Repairs and Maintenance

The City undertakes maintenance work each year related to the repair or replacement of valves, hydrants or curb stops. There is as many as 350 maintenance digs each year.

Discoloured Water

Occasionally you may experience discoloured water (brownish in colour). Discoloured water often happens when there is a change in water flow. This can be caused by many different things including plumbing work on your property or routine operations (i.e. water main breaks, fire hydrant use, water main flushing, etc.).

If you have discoloured water:

remove the aerators (screens) from your tap
turn on the cold water tap (preferably the tap located nearest to your water meter)
let the water run for 5 to 10 minutes to clear up.

If the problem continues, please call Public Works or complete the Water Quality Report a Concern Form so we can investigate

Note: If you have discoloured water and your neighbours do not, then the hot water tank or the pipes in your home are likely causing the problem and you may want to contact a plumber.