Mayor Robert Quaiff. (Photo: Nicole Kleinsteuber / Quinte News)
Prince Edward County’s Mayor has given an update on the ongoing water emergency situation involving the Picton-Bloomfield Water System and barge sinking in the Picton Harbour.
Mayor Robert Quaiff told a press conference this afternoon it’s imperative to keep water use restrictions in place, in case the water plant needs to be shut down again.
PEC WATER UPDATE PRESSER CLIP 1
The Mayor did note that the water system for now is safe and that no contaminants entered the system, just the protection zone, which gives early warning signs about possible contaminants.
And he says, plans are in place in the “faint chance” that the water system has to be completely shut down and reserves are depleted.
McKeil Marine, the company that chartered the barge and the Canadian Coast Guard are handling the recovery effort and say they’re working to mitigate all environmental risks during the process.
County Commissioner Robert McAuley says there will be a county representative on site throughout the recovery and clean up and that the recovery, at least, could be done as early as tomorrow.
But he did stress that weather is having a big impact on the entire situation.
As far as water restrictions go, even the parks and fire departments are doing their parts.
Ice maintenance has stopped at the Prince Edward Community Centre and Prince Edward Fire Department trucks are filling up with water from other sources, in case they need to respond to a blaze before the situation is resolved.
County officials will gather for an update at 9:00 a.m. tomorrow at the Picton Fire Hall.
You can listen to the full press conference from this afternoon below and get any updates via the Prince Edward County notice website, or the county’s various social media channels.
PRESS CONFERENCE AUDIO:
