A water supply disruption caused by a well pump failure has led, since Tuesday, to a ‘precautionary boil water advisory’ for some users of the Horseshoe Valley Resort private water system in Oro-Medonte Township.
Clearford Waterworks, the water system operations company for this private, non-municipal drinking water system, said there was a well pump failure that prevented the supply of drinking water. As a result, Clearford requested an emergency provision of bulk water, from the township, to supply residents as it further investigated the well pump issue, a company official said.
“The issue that caused the whole problem is with the recent brown-outs and the power surges that followed. The well pump and electrical components were damaged, so we’re not able to produce any water,” said John Levie, Clearford’s vice-president of engineering
Once a bulk water supply is established, a precautionary boil water advisory must be declared, said Clearford.
In a news release issued Thursday night, Clearview said it is constantly testing the water — including the chlorine residual — and that there is and always has been adequate chlorine in the water for disinfection. To date, Clearford said it has not observed any water quality issues with the water in the distribution system.
“There was actually never any indication of contamination or improper disinfection,” Levie said. “It (the boil water advisory) is precautionary only until we get the results back, the microbioligical samples.
“(The) chlorine, it’s been consistent, there’s been no drop in it.”
Lori Ryther, who gets her water from the system, said in an e-mail that there’s been a lack of transparency, improper notice and communication with these boil water advisories.
Levie said Clearford learned there was a problem Dec. 27 and the advisory went out that evening.
He said there has been consultation with Ontario’s Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks, and the local health unit.
Levie said the company is working with a licensed well technician to diagnose and repair the damaged equipment. Numerous electrical components in the pump control panel had been compromised as result of power surges, and the pump itself may require replacement, he explained.
Company officials are working with contractors and pump suppliers to remove the pump and acquire the required components for repairs to be completed.
Due to the nature of the precautionary boil water advisory, it’s possible the advisory will not be lifted until the pump can be repaired and source water restored.
“My expectation is the samples I know are at the lab, they’re testing,” Levie said. “There’s a minimum statutory testing period. I don’t know what time the lab started the testing so I would expect we’ll have the results back ... by tomorrow (Saturday).”
Horseshoe Valley Resort Zone 1 water system users should direct all inquiries to Clearford at 1-844-734-2026 or 905-734-2026.
