Prince Rupert declared a local state of emergency Saturday, as city officials said in a new release that there were three breaks in local water mains and multiple service interruptions that started early that morning. Herb Pond, the city's mayor, says six of the city's major water pipes have burst in the past week. "We have a very old water system," he said in an interview. "Much of the pipes are well over 100 years old." Pond says the ground in the area is mostly rock and muskeg with very little soil,causing the pipes to shift and be more susceptible to damage, especially as they get older.
Powell River City Council restricts water bottling
City of Powell River Council passed a bylaw that prohibits bottling of most water within city limits. At the March 4 city council meeting, council approved an amendment to the city’s zoning bylaw, which will prohibit the bottling of water or other beverages where the source of the water is other than the municipal water supply supplied directly to the property on which the bottling is taking place. This would allow continued local bottling of water for large jugs commonly used in water coolers, which is bottled by several local businesses.