A week-long boil-water order in St. Stephen is expected to remain in effect until at least Jan. 7, according to the municipality.
The order was initially issued on Dec. 27, advising residents that all water used for cooking food, consumption, baby formula, or for brushing their teeth should be brought to a rolling boil for one minute.
The Municipal District of St. Stephen (MDSS) cited high turbidity levels in the water.
MDSS reported that water with high levels of turbidity travelled from the Maxwell Crossing pump station through the Valley Road reservoir and into town.
“It will take some time for these levels to recede throughout the system to a point where testing can begin to have the order removed,” the statement said.
On Dec. 31, the municipality said the anticipated date to lift the boil-water order of Jan. 2 would be unachievable. It said third-party testing could not take place until local testing reached acceptable levels, as outlined by the Department of Health.
“We now anticipate a removal timeline of January 7, but will make every effort to shorten that timeline where possible,” the statement read.
MDSS Chief Administrative Officer Jeff Renaud said the cause of the boil-water order was localized flooding in the area of the well site.
“This flooding was caused by a tree falling across the Dennis Stream and creating an ice jam, which backed up the water and flooded the area,” he said.
He said staff have been in consistent contact with the Department of Health.
“We are sending samples for independent testing beginning today,” Renaud said.
-
Nathalie Sturgeon, Local Journalism Initiative, The Courier.
The Local Journalism Initiative, funded by the Government of Canada, aims to provide journalism to underserved communities. She joined the team in August 2024 and was formerly a digital broadcast journalist with Global News in New Brunswick. She has past experience as the editor of the Kings County Record in Sussex, N.B.
She is from White Rapids, New Brunswick, just outside of Miramichi. She has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in journalism from St. Thomas University in Fredericton.
Nathalie is a strong supporter of local and community news -- and hopes to tell the most important stories for the people of Charlotte County and beyond.
View all posts
