Do not use water from Abbotsford’s Sumas Prairie system

People in Abbotsford’s Sumas Prairie area are advised not to use tap water at all.

Last week, a Boil Water Advisory was issued for people on the Sumas Prairie Water System. By Wednesday, the advisory was changed to a ‘Do Not Use Water Notice.’

“This new advisory is being put in place due to the inaccessible watermain breaches that are impacting the drinking water system. This means that running water in Sumas Prairie can only be used for flushing toilets,” said Mayor Henry Braun.

The affected area is bound by Angus Campbell Road to the west, Highway 1 to the north, the Chilliwack/Abbotsford border to the east, and the Canada/U.S. border and Old Yale Road to the south.

“We know there are hazardous and potentially toxic material in these floodwaters which is why we need to complete an environmental assessment of the area to ensure it is safe,” Braun said, listing examples of the things submerged in the floodwaters.

“There is fertilizer out there. There’s fuel tanks, both gasoline and diesel tanks. There’s a lot of tractors that are underwater. There’s a lot of vehicles underwater. So all of that is migrating, I’m pretty sure, into the water which is why we want to make sure that the public doesn’t a drink that water.”

People are told not to use the water for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing food or dishes, making infant formula, or bathing. It is only recommended for flushing toilets.

Related article: Abbotsford mayor tells residents to get emergency kits, prepare for next round of rain

Residents can drink bottled water or water from unaffected systems. The city notes most household type water filters will not remove microbial contaminants.

“Until such time that breaches are contained and water quality is verified through testing, this Advisory will remain active and is expected to be in place for several days,” reads a statement from the City of Abbotsford.

Braun says the city’s focus is on preparing for the next round of rain.

“The rainfall that’s coming, I think we can handle for Thursday, Friday. The next one is in on the weekend. It’s the third one, I’m more concerned about but we don’t have enough data yet … but if all that rain comes, I think we can still handle it.

On Tuesday, Mayor Henry Braun urged people in his community who could be affected by the next round of rain to get an emergency kit together.

“So that you are self-sufficient for at least 72 hours with food, water, clothes, and a battery-operated or wind-up flashlight,” he said.

“It’s also important to ensure that your vehicles are fueled and parked in an area that will allow you to evacuate quickly, if required. If you are looking to protect your property right now, sand and sandbags are available at both Albert Dyck Park and Yarrow Hardware.”

Repair to the main dike breach near No. 3 Road is about 90 per cent complete and Braun says crews expect another three feet of height will be added before the heavy rain arrives on Thursday.

The rapid damage assessment team has completed more than 1,000 assessments, according to the mayor, and another 2,000 still need to be done.

He’s also calling on residents in his city to do what they can to help.

“Please give us a hand and clean out your local intakes and catchbasins before these weather events come here. Much of our operation staff have been diverted to deal with a major flooding events on Sumas Prairie and Barrowtown. So if you are able to assist, we would greatly appreciate it.”

Related video: B.C. rainstorm preparations continue

The flooding has led to the loss of more than 100,000 chickens and cows, as well as several farms’ crops.

Braun expects blueberry crops to take awhile to recover.

“We have 1200 or some acres of blueberries that are underwater,” he said. “After four or five days, it’s my understanding based on a little bit of blueberry knowledge, that those plants have probably died, which means they got to come up and they got to plant new ones. And a blueberry plant doesn’t produce a good crop until year four and a better crop in year five — they will go for 40 years.”

He adds his heart goes out to farmers whose livelihoods have been devastated by flooding.

“They’ve watched their whole life and sometimes generations [disappear] … This is going to take a long time to recover.”

According to the mayor, the city has spent “significant money” to prepare for something like this, “it now it’s happened and now it’s too late.”

Related articles:

• Prepare for more rain: Next weather system set to move in Wednesday night

• B.C. ‘cautiously optimistic’ CP railways could reopen Tuesday after floods

• B.C. glass recycling pickup suspended due to floods

Braun also took a moment Wednesday to thank the “thousands” of people who have shared their support for his community.

“I am blown away by the number of emails, texts, voice messages, direct messages on social media channels that have encouraged me greatly. People ask me ‘How are we doing?’ We are doing well, given the number of people by the thousands who have messaged me from Vancouver to Halifax and beyond, making sure that they know that they are standing with us and that their thoughts and prayers are with this city at this critical time.”

“Thank you to everyone … and just continue to pray for us because we desperately need that,” he added.