City staff are dispatched to assess and prioritize all leaks when they are reported. Safety barricades or traffic restrictions will be put in place as required. Leaks are prioritized based on severity, whether residents are without service, how many are out of service due to a single leak/break and risk to property damage. We monitor actively running leaks on a daily basis until they can be repaired.
Because of the number and severity of leaks is always changing, we are unable to give a definite timeline of when a particular repair will be completed.
Types of Water Breaks
A water main is the pipe that runs down one side of your street. Every house or business then has a pipe called a service connection is the water pipe that connects the water main on your street to the water pipe inside your home.
- Water Main Break: A water main break typically affects one block, and households on both sides of the street.
- Service Connection Leak/Break: A service connection leak or break typically affects one household or business.
Please note that where possible, water service is maintained except during the actual repair.
Service connections and water mains break for various reasons. Pipes are most vulnerable at the connection point. Service connections may leak at the curb box (shut-off valve), normally located at the front property line. Leaks can also occur where the service connection attaches to the water main. While leaks and breaks are more likely to occur at connection points, the pipe may also break elsewhere due to ground shifting or other factors.
No Water Service
Whenever possible, we inform households and businesses that will be affected before we turn the water off. This allows time to draw water for essentials such as drinking and cooking. If we are unable to give notice due to the severity of the break or if a resident isn't at home to be notified, there are several options to provide you with water.
The City has two water tankers that are available to send out to our larger breaks. The tanker is set up on the street and individuals can come to fill their personal containers as needed.
If the tanker is not set up at your location or if you can’t get to the tanker for a particular reason (such as mobility concerns), we will deliver jugs of water to your home. Contact Service Regina at 306-777-7000 to advise us that you need water delivered.
To receive electronic notifications of planned maintenance impacting your City of Regina water/utility account, register for eWater and set your Communications Preferences.
Drinking Water Notifications
In very few instances, some residents will receive a Drinking Water Notification.
If major flooding due to a water break has occurred, a standard procedure may include depressurizing the line by turning the water off before we can complete the repair. Industry best practices recommend that the water from these sites be boiled until laboratory testing confirms the safety of the water.
In these situations, impacted residents will receive a Drinking Water Notification before we turn the water back on. This is to advise you of the boil water requirement. The notification is delivered to each impacted home or business. If no one is home, the notification door knocker will be left at one of the entrances to your home or business.
Drinking water notifications are usually lifted within two days. A Drinking Water Notification Ended door knocker will then be delivered to each impacted home or business. Again, if no one is home, the notification door knocker will be left at one of the entrances to your home or business.
Until the City has confirmed the water is safe to drink, we advise that you boil water for any activity where water may be ingested, including:
- drinking, making ice
- brushing teeth or soaking false teeth
- washing fruits and vegetables
- dishwashing
- preparing food or drink which will not be subsequently heated
In addition:
- Do not drink water from public drinking fountains in this area.
- While bathing, avoid swallowing the water. Younger children and infants should be sponge-bathed.
- Consult your physician if you have severe cuts or rashes before using the water.
- Regular tap water can be used for washing clothes.
- If you do not wish to boil your water, use an alternate water supply known to be safe.
To receive electronic notifications of planned maintenance impacting your City of Regina water/utility account, register for eWater and set your Communications Preferences.
