By Tyler Sutherland
If you notice your water is a bit discoloured this morning, there’s no need to call 311 — the city already knows about it.
Residents in north River Heights and Fort Garry (in the vicinity of Waverley Street from Taylor Avenue to the Assiniboine River) may notice a change in their water colour at crews doing road work on Taylor Avenue will need to adjust the flow of water in a large water main on Waverley Street. The adjustment is expected to last about two or three days beginning at 8 a.m. today.
Adjusting the flow of the water in the mains (e.g., due to water main work, hydrant use for firefighting) can temporarily disturb the sediment and discolour the water.
Discoloured water should not be used for any purposes that require clean water, such as for cooking, drinking or doing laundry. Drinking discoloured water should not make you sick; however, it may not smell, taste, or look pleasant.
To see if your water is discoloured, turn on a cold water tap and let the water run for a few minutes. Catch some water in a light-coloured cup or container to see if it is clear. If it is clear, it can be used. If the water doesn’t clear within five minutes, wait 30 minutes and try again.
