Inverness under boil-water advisory after water main break
Many services at Inverness hospital cancelled as a result of advisory, but expected to resume Thursday
A water main break in the Municipality of the County of Inverness left a local hospital without running water for drinking or flushing toilets for much of Wednesday.
The municipality issued a boil-water advisory in the morning for customers of its water utility.
Until further notice, customers are advised to bring tap water to a boil for at least one minute before using it for drinking, making infant formula, brushing teeth, preparing food or washing dishes.
Warden Bonny MacIsaac said Wednesday afternoon that the water service is running again, but the boil order will be on for a minimum of 48 hours from the time it was issued as a precaution.
The advisory extended to Inverness Consolidated Memorial Hospital. Heather Gillis, a Nova Scotia Health employee who works at the hospital, said the water service was restored at 4 p.m. local time.
"I want to thank the staff. It's challenging to work in these conditions and everybody showed up, worked as a team and patient care continued," she said.
Nova Scotia Health said in a news release at 5 p.m. that all outpatient services that were cancelled Wednesday will resume Thursday, May 16. It said the boil water order will remain in effect at the site until results are clear.
While the water was out, the hospital had to rely on hand sanitizer and drinking water deliveries.
The hospital's emergency department remained open, but patients without "emergency concerns" were asked to contact their primary care provider, or a virtual or community access point.
Services cancelled
A number of services were cancelled Wednesday at the Inverness hospital as a result of the advisory, including:
- Renal dialysis.
- Oncology treatments and clinics.
- Ambulatory care and outpatient clinics.
- Outpatient lab blood collection appointments.
- Outpatient X-ray and scheduled appointments for all diagnostic imaging services, such as X-ray, EKG and ultrasound.
- Outpatient rehab and hip and knee clinic appointments.
Nova Scotia Health said the mental health and addictions outpatient clinic remained open Wednesday, however, appointments were held virtually where possible.
Primary care collaborative clinics and diabetes education centre/clinics in the community health centre were also expected to provide care virtually as appropriate.