CRD asks Saanich Peninsula residents to conserve water during water main repair

The Capital Regional District is asking residents living on the Saanich Peninsula to conserve water where possible during a repair to a water main in the region. 

Emergency repairs to a leak on a regional water high-pressure transmission main in View Royal will begin on Thursday, September 24th.

According to the CRD, the water main, which is 1.2 metres in diameter, is one of the largest mains in the regional water transmission system. 

It also happens to be the sole water supply to the Saanich Peninsula, including Sidney, Central Saanich, North Saanich, W̱SIḴEM (Tseycum) First Nation, SȾÁUTW̱ (Tsawout) First Nation, W̱JOȽEȽP (Tsartlip) First Nation and BOḰEĆEN (Pauquachin) First Nation and a portion of Saanich.

Work will be taking place along the northbound section of the Trans-Canada Highway between the Island Highway overpass and the Six Mile Road overpass.

While the repair is underway, the CRD is warning residents and businesses in impacted areas that they may experience reduced water pressure.

Those impacted are asked to reduce non-essential water use to help ease the burden on the system. Some examples include outdoor watering and car washing. 

During the repair to the water main, water will be supplied via alternate transmission infrastructure which operates at lower pressure and has less capacity than the primary transmission main. 

The CRD noted that water quality is not expected to be impacted.

“By reducing demand, more water and pressure remain available throughout the system for essential household, business and emergency needs,” said the CRD in a media release. 

“While most customers are expected to continue receiving normal water service, reducing non-essential water use will help lower the risk of low-pressure conditions in some parts of the system while repairs are underway.”

Work will be underway 24 hours a day, including evenings and the weekend. The CRD projects that work will only take four days to complete and should be wrapped up on Monday, September 28th. 

Drivers commuting past the work area along the Trans-Canada Highway are asked to slow down, follow the directions of traffic control personnel and obey all traffic signs.