A precautionary drinking water advisory is in effect in Stanley Mission. (Photo 50190568 © Erik Rosenlund Knudsen | Dreamstime.com)

By Derek Cornet

drinking water

Water delivered to Stanley Mission residents due to treatment plant issues

Jan 12, 2024 | 4:58 PM

Lac La Ronge Indian Band Coun. Jimmy Charles is hopeful the current drinking water situation in Stanley Mission will be resolved soon.

In recent days, water consumption has been limited due to a number of issues affecting the water treatment plant. Charles explained the main problem is the fact that not enough water is reaching the wet well.

“The problem is the water level on the river. It keeps dropping and the water levels have dropped maybe a good eight feet from what we are used to for the past 30 years,” he said.

“The water has been pretty high and this is probably the lowest it’s been since maybe 1990 or 1988. When the water treatment plant was built around 27 years ago or so, the water was pretty high, so we didn’t anticipate that we would hit low water levels once again. Now, our raw water intake is sitting higher than the lake itself, so it can’t cavitate any water into the wet well.”

Hoses installed to bring water in the treatment plant have also been struggling to operate during this week’s cold snap and have been freezing up. The lack of water production in recent days has meant leadership in the community have been forced to bring water jugs and bottles from the south.

Weekend hockey

PAGC set to host largest Senator's Cup tournament to date

Apr 26, 2024

Riderville

Riders Have Options Heading into Tuesday CFL Draft

Apr 26, 2024

health care

RBC Foundation gifts $7,500 to assist in training La Ronge nurses

Apr 24, 2024

“We have another shipment of water jugs coming in from Prince Albert,” Charles said. “Another 600 jugs will be delivered to the community this evening.”

Charles noted although the treatment plant is once again operational, it will take a few days for the situation to return to normal. As of Jan. 12, there is a precautionary drinking water advisory in effect until the situation is resolved.

Charles also wanted to thank community members for their patience, Stanley Mission treatment plant and maintenance employees, as well as Saskatchewan First Nations Emergency Management for assistance in resolving the issue.

–

derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com