Water Restrictions in Place Following Logging Truck Accident

Thursday, March 9, 2023 

Port Alberni – An accident on Franklin River Road has damaged the City of Port Alberni’s main water supply line. As a result, the City of Port Alberni and the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District have activated the Emergency Operations Centre and are asking residents to limit water use until further notice in order that best use is made of the water in City reservoirs.

The City has implemented Stage 3 water restrictions, effective immediately, for the City of Port Alberni, Hupačasath First Nation, Tseshaht First Nation, the Beaver Creek Water Local Service Area, and the Franklin River Road area. These restrictions will be in place until further notice. Residents are asked to conserve as much water as possible during this time.

“The City’s water quality is unaffected by this incident, but it is a serious incident that requires us to implement water restrictions,” explains Port Alberni Mayor Sharie Minions. “We all must do our part by conserving as much water as possible. We can do this by limiting use for things like showers, dishes, and other non-essential uses.”

These measures are in place because of a motor vehicle accident today on Franklin River Road involving an unloaded logging truck. The truck veered off the road, went through roadside barriers, into a ravine, damaging approximately 10 metres of the City of Port Alberni’s main waterline and structural supports.

Stage 3 restrictions are outlined at Water Restrictions | City of Port Alberni. The City of Port Alberni asks that water use during this time be limit to essential use.

The City of Port Alberni was able to sources the parts needed to repair the broken section of pipe, and repairs will begin immediately.

“The City crew will be working diligently through the night to repair the damage as quickly as possible,” said Rob Dickinson, Director of Engineering and Public Works. “We have everything we need to repair the damaged line, so with the help of people conserving water, we anticipate we will be able to lift these measures without having to further restrict water usage.”

Updates will be provided as new information is available on social media platforms. An alert will be issued through VoyentAlert! when the water restrictions are lifted. You can register for this service by going to Voyent Alert! (voyent-alert.com).

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For more information, please contact:

Heather Thomson, EOC Information Officer

250-206-5162 or hthomson@acrd.bc.ca

Social media:

Facebook:

Alberni Valley Emergency Program | Port Alberni BC | Facebook

City of Port Alberni Local Government | Port Alberni BC | Facebook

Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District Government | Port Alberni BC | Facebook

Twitter:

@cityportalberni

@ACRDgov