A water main break Friday afternoon has sent a massive amount of water onto Main Street near Chief Peguis Trail, forcing the city to close the roadway in both directions.
Main Street is closed from Seaforth Avenue to Chief Peguis Trail after water overflowed the curbs and the median boulevard around 3 p.m.
In a statement, the city said crews installing new underground piping at the Main Street sewage treatment plant, which is undergoing a years-long overhaul, damaged the water main.
MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS
A water main break floods Main Street near Chief Peguis Trail Friday, forcing the city to close the roadway in both directions.
The break prompted a change in water flow that might stir up sediment in pipes and cause coloured water, the city said.
“For this reason, we are advising residents in north Winnipeg to check for discoloured water before using their water for any purposes that require clean water, such as for drinking, preparing food and beverages, or laundry,” the city said in a release.
To check for discoloured water:
— Turn on a cold water tap and let the water run for a few minutes. It is best to use a bathtub tap as there is no screen to trap any sediment. The water can be collected and used to water plants
— Do not use a hot water tap because it could draw sediment into the hot water tank
Winnipeg Free Press | Newsletter
— Catch some water in a light-coloured cup. If the water isn’t clear, turn off the tap, wait 30 minutes and try again.
The city said it continues to work to remediate the effects of the water main break and flooding.
