A sudden disruption has plunged the community of Pelican Narrows into a water crisis, leaving residents grappling with a loss of system pressure. This issue began on a Sunday night, triggering immediate action to restore their essential water supply. But what exactly caused this sudden obstruction? Let's dive in.
On Friday, a temporary pumping system was put into operation to help supplement the water plant and meet the community's needs. "We're drawing additional water through a hole cut in the ice," explained Ryan King, an AECOM engineer collaborating with PBCN. He added that, by Tuesday night, the reservoir was full, and the community was in a good state. They will likely discuss returning some of the facilities and the community back to some state of normalcy while they continue to work on the root cause of the problem.
To ensure a continuous water supply, holes were cut in the ice of Pelican Lake, allowing pumps to deliver the necessary water during the cold weather.
Now, here's where it gets interesting: Specialized divers are scheduled to explore the depths of Pelican Lake this weekend. Their mission? To visually inspect the water intake screen, seeking the source of the blockage. King detailed that the original lake intake, installed in 1981, has been a steadfast water source for the community. The 200-millimeter diameter line stretches approximately 630 feet into the lake, positioned 15 to 20 feet below the surface, depending on the lake level. An intake pumphouse on the shoreline then channels the raw lake water to the plant for filtration and disinfection.
The intake line is equipped with a screen designed to prevent fish and debris from entering. This screen was updated in 2007 with a modern, stainless steel structure. "That’s the only known issue over the 40-plus years this lake intake has been in service," King noted.
The ice presents a challenge in pinpointing the screen's exact location. Therefore, in addition to drilling holes, sonars will be employed before the divers descend to visually inspect the intake screen.
"It’s unusual for a lake intake to have a sudden obstruction like this, especially in winter because there’s no real moving water or anything that could impact it from above anyways," King stated. They've considered potential culprits, such as a tarp or piece of plastic that may have settled on the lake bottom and wrapped around the intake, but the cause remains a mystery.
If the intake screen appears clear, the focus will shift to inspecting approximately 500 feet of the pipeline along the lake bottom. This inspection aims to identify any damage or kinks that might be hindering water flow. This could be done by human divers or with an underwater robot.
Additionally, they may attempt a backflush of the intake line, hoping to dislodge any obstruction.
And this is the part most people miss: In a worst-case scenario, replacing the equipment would be a 'significant capital undertaking' complicated by the time of year and the remote location, according to King. While unlikely, it remains a possibility.
Pelican Narrows Councillor Olivia Custer has been delivering bottled water to residents daily since Monday. Until the issue is resolved, potable water will continue to be provided to the community.
Custer has witnessed firsthand the stress and overwhelming nature of the situation for everyone in the community. She expressed sincere appreciation for the community's cooperation with water conservation efforts.
A boil water advisory remains in effect for Pelican Narrows. Hiebert suggests it may be lifted in a few days. Until then, all water used for drinking, cooking, brushing teeth, and food preparation must be boiled for at least one minute or replaced with bottled water.
What are your thoughts on the challenges faced by the community of Pelican Narrows? Do you think the age of the infrastructure played a role in the obstruction? Share your opinions in the comments below!
