Fernie residents had their water supply cut off on Monday after a contractor hit a water main, causing massive flooding.
The contractor was contracted by the City and digging on Ninth Avenue when he hit a 16 inch water main around 10:30 a.m.
“The contractor hit the water main causing localised flooding,” said Dave Cockwell, Director of Operational Services at the City of Fernie.
“It was a huge amount of water and caused some private properties in the area some damage.
“There was flooding for over an hour before the City was able to turn off the water.”
Fernie’s water supply was cut off for a short time and restored by early afternoon.
“There were extended problems as a result of the break causing an airlock in one of our lines and shutting off our water supply,” said Cockwell.
He said that by the evening water was restored to the community. A boil water notice has been issued because of high turbidity and the potential for contamination, which will be in effect until bacteriological testing has confirmed the water is safe to drink.
The City is advising residents to run the water in their premises to clear the lines of sediment.
To check for updated water quality information visit the City’s website at www.fernie.ca