PRINCE RUPERT — A boil water advisory for Prince Rupert, B.C., has entered its fifth week, prompting one citizen advocate group to criticize city officials for not having a preparedness plan in place.
"Five weeks is too long without any provision of access to water for people who are vulnerable," Kertes said in an interview.
Water in the city of Prince Rupert tested for high levels of cryptosporidium and giardia, parasites can cause intestinal illnesses, he said.
This represents the final phase of the city’s water infrastructure replacement project, it said.
"Unfortunately, there are no treatment options available to the city to remove cryptosporidium at the source supply, and therefore there is currently no way to prevent or manage the issue other than to wait for the water to clear itself," reads a post on the city’s website.
Kertes said there are a lot of questions on how the decisions surrounding the infrastructure upgrade were made and what the priorities were.
"We need the city government to listen and take responsibility and we need a preparedness plan."
As of Jan. 17, there were 25 short-term drinking water advisories in place in Canada, and six "boil water" and three "do not consume" advisories in British Columbia.
"It’s anyone’s guess" how long the advisory will be in effect, he said.
"This is a wake-up call that not everyone in Canada can take (tap water) for granted," Kertes said.

PORT VUE (KDKA) — The Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County has issued a Precautionary Boil Water Advisory for Port Vue and McKeesport.
According to officials, a six-inch water main break near Romine Avenue caused a loss of positive water pressure, which is a “signal of the existence of conditions that could allow contamination to enter the distribution system.” Because of that, officials say there is an increased chance disease-causing organisms could be in the water.
The advisory is in effect for Port Vue Borough and the Upper 10th Ward, McKeesport.
Officials say if you live in those areas, you should boil your water before drinking it or use bottled water.
In addition to drinking, water should be boiled before making ice, washing dishes, brushing your teeth and cooking food.
The advisory is in effect until further notice.
Water buffaloes are also being brought in to the Port Vue Borough building and fire department on Romine Avenue.
For more information, visit the Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County’s website here or call them at 724-755-5800.

Prince Rupert residents should not be concerned if they see milky water coming through their taps, city administration says.
READ MORE: Social media strains over Prince Rupert’s boil water notice On Jan. 22, the City of Prince Rupert issued a press release stating that they have begun to flush local water mains in an effort to speed up the process of downgrading the ongoing water boil notice.
“This step assists in removing stale or stagnant water from the pipes,” said Veronika Stewart, the city’s communications manager in the statement.
Stewart noted that the flushing process may stir up sediment and/or make tap water look milky.
“Run taps until they are clear if you experience this,” she said.
While Prince Rupert’s water has not been given clearance to drink from the health authority, city officials will meet with Northern Health this week to see if they can downgrade the status from a water boil notice to a water quality advisory — which is a more precautionary notification.
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KALAMZOO, Mich. (WOOD) — A water main break has prompted another boil water advisory in Kalamazoo, this one affecting several businesses.
In that area is a PNC Bank branch, a McDonald’s, Moe’s Southwest Grille, Dickey’s Barbecue Pit and a Burger King.
The McDonald’s and Dickey’s were closed to the public Tuesday afternoon.
Moe’s said it would be open after getting instructions from the health department on how to proceed.
No one at the Burger King was authorized to speak with the media when 24 Hour News 8 called Tuesday afternoon.
Water main breaks cause a drop in pressure, which can allow bacteria to enter the system.
They expect to lift the advisory by Friday.
The Stadium Drive advisory is the third issued in the last three days as Kalamazoo deals with about half a dozen main breaks or other water infrastructures problems.
On Monday, officials blamed increasing frost depths, saying that was causing mains to shift.
City officials are also asking residents to run a narrow stream of water in their homes nonstop, probably until April 1, to prevent pipes from freezing.

PRINCE RUPERT — A boil water advisory for Prince Rupert, B.C., has entered its fifth week, prompting one citizen advocate group to criticize city officials for not having a preparedness plan in place.
"Five weeks is too long without any provision of access to water for people who are vulnerable," Kertes said in an interview.
Water in the city of Prince Rupert tested for high levels of cryptosporidium and giardia, parasites can cause intestinal illnesses, he said.
This represents the final phase of the city’s water infrastructure replacement project, it said.
"Unfortunately, there are no treatment options available to the city to remove cryptosporidium at the source supply, and therefore there is currently no way to prevent or manage the issue other than to wait for the water to clear itself," reads a post on the city’s website.
Kertes said there are a lot of questions on how the decisions surrounding the infrastructure upgrade were made and what the priorities were.
"We need the city government to listen and take responsibility and we need a preparedness plan."
As of Jan. 17, there were 25 short-term drinking water advisories in place in Canada, and six "boil water" and three "do not consume" advisories in British Columbia.
"It’s anyone’s guess" how long the advisory will be in effect, he said.
"This is a wake-up call that not everyone in Canada can take (tap water) for granted," Kertes said.

DEXTER, Ga. — Students at West Laurens High School will have a longer holiday weekend now that classes are canceled Tuesday.
According to a news release from Associate Superintendent Ronda Hightower, the closing is due to a boil water advisory in Dexter, Georgia.
While students will have the day off, the high school’s faculty and staff are still expected to report for a regular workday.
Again, this is ONLY for West Laurens High School.
All other Laurens County Schools will be in session on Jan. 22 and operating on a regular schedule.

City of Fort Lauderdale The City of Fort Lauderdale has issued a precautionary boil water notice on the Isle of Venice.
The notice was issued after emergency water infrastructure repairs.
"This ‘Precautionary Boil Water Notice’ will remain in effect until bacteriological surveys show that the water is safe to drink," officials said in a statement.
"Residents are advised that all water used for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth, or washing dishes be boiled.
A rolling boil of one minute is sufficient.
As an alternative, bottled water may be used."

— A boil water advisory for Prince Rupert, B.C., has entered its fifth week, prompting one citizen advocate group to criticize city officials for not having a preparedness plan in place.
"Five weeks is too long without any provision of access to water for people who are vulnerable," Kertes said in an interview.
Water in the city of Prince Rupert tested for high levels of cryptosporidium and giardia, parasites can cause intestinal illnesses, he said.
This represents the final phase of the city’s water infrastructure replacement project, it said.
"Unfortunately, there are no treatment options available to the city to remove cryptosporidium at the source supply, and therefore there is currently no way to prevent or manage the issue other than to wait for the water to clear itself," reads a post on the city’s website.
Kertes said there are a lot of questions on how the decisions surrounding the infrastructure upgrade were made and what the priorities were.
"We need the city government to listen and take responsibility and we need a preparedness plan."
As of Jan. 17, there were 25 short-term drinking water advisories in place in Canada, and six "boil water" and three "do not consume" advisories in British Columbia.
"It’s anyone’s guess" how long the advisory will be in effect, he said.
"This is a wake-up call that not everyone in Canada can take (tap water) for granted," Kertes said.

Crews are on the scene Sunday afternoon repairing a water main break in downtown Harrisburg.
The water main break occurred on Aberdeen Street between Market and Walnut streets near the Capitol, closing that block.
Crews have already dug a small hole into the road and are repairing the break.
Capital Region Water issued a boil water advisory to three properties – 400 Market St., 417 Walnut St. and 423 Walnut St. over the loss of positive water pressure from exercising valves to repair the break.
Capital Region Water will let the customers know when the advisory has been lifted.

The boil water advisory has been lifted for the Brookhollow Subdivision in Lafayette.
_________________________________________________ The Brookhollow Subdivision in Lafayette experienced a break in a water line on Wednesday.
As a precaution, a boil water advisory was issued to all residents living in the neighborhood (Creekside Drive, Country Morning Court and Greenside Court).
It is recommended that all consumers disinfect their water before consuming it (including fountain drinks), making ice, brushing teeth, or using it for food preparation or rinsing of foods by the following means: Boil water for one full minute in a clean container.
The one minute starts after the water has been brought to a rolling boil.
(The flat taste can be eliminated by shaking the water in a clean bottle, pouring it from one clean container to another, or by adding a small pinch of salt to each quart of water that is boiled.)