Water service disrupted at Pioneer Village

An urgent repair to a water main will disrupt service at the Pioneer Village in Regina for the next few days. Officials say an alternate source of water will be available but it can not be used for consumption. Bottled water will be available.

New of the disruption was announced Wednesday night by officials from the Regina Qu'Appelle Health Region.

Pioneer Village has around 300 long-term care beds while a related complex, Pioneer Manor, has 140 seniors' apartments.

Officials said the disruptions will las for three to five days while "urgent preventative maintenance is undertaken on the main water line to the building."

They said they noticed a problem with the line and decided it needed to be replaced right away.

"There is no risk to health from water currently in use in the facilities, but we have identified that the main water line is leaking, and if it is not replaced and the leak becomes worse, significant basement flooding could occur," Debbie Sinnett, from the region, said in a statement.

While that line is being replaced, the buildings will be connected to an alternate water source which cannot be used for drinking or food preparation. The alternate source will also have less pressure than the regular line meaning laundry will have to be done off site.

Bottled water will be available and arrangements have been made for a bulk water supply for food preparation. The region said that will have a small effect on the menu.

There are also plans to use disposable dishware and some public washrooms may be closed.

The work will begin at 6:45 a.m. Thursday and could be wrapped up on the weekend or early next week.

There will also be some testing to make sure the new service is working properly.

"We regret the inconvenience to our residents but will ensure they have a safe, plentiful supply of drinking water and food supply during this time," Sinnett added. "We are also making every effort to ensure they have access to as many of their regular activities and amenities as possible during this time, and will continue to communicate with them about the water disruption as the work is underway."