Halifax, NS – For the second time in less than seven months, over 200,000 residents of the Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) are under a boil water advisory. The cause? Another power failure at the Pockwock Lake Water Treatment Facility. How long will residents have to endure these repeated failures before Halifax Water delivers real solutions?

What Happened This Time?

On the evening of Monday, January 20, 2025, a planned power outage in Hammonds Plains resulted in a blown fuse at the Pockwock Lake facility. Although backup generators kept operations running, the restoration of power caused a 30-minute gap in chlorine disinfection. This short lapse allowed untreated water to enter the system, putting public health at risk.

Who Is Affected?

The advisory covers a broad area, including:

• Halifax
• Beaver Bank
• Middle and Lower Sackville
• Upper Hammonds Plains
• Bedford
• Fall River
• Timberlea
• Spryfield
• Herring Cove

Residents can confirm their status using Halifax Water’s interactive map. However, shouldn’t there be systems in place to prevent such widespread disruptions in the first place?

What Should Residents Do?

Halifax Water recommends boiling water for at least one minute before using it for:

• Drinking
• Cooking
• Washing fruits and vegetables
• Brushing teeth
• Making ice

While boiling water may mitigate the risk, is this an acceptable standard for 2025?

How Long Will This Last?

The advisory is expected to remain in place for approximately two days, similar to the incident in July 2024. Halifax Water is working with Nova Scotia Environment and Climate Change (NSECC) and the Medical Officer of Health to test water samples. But why does this feel like a recurring problem with no resolution in sight?

Community Impact

The fallout from the advisory has been widespread:

• Over 140 surgeries postponed at the QEII Health Sciences Centre.
• Schools have turned off water fountains and are distributing bottled water.
• Restaurants and cafes are struggling to adapt, with many facing financial losses.

Should residents and businesses continue to pay the price for Halifax Water’s repeated shortcomings?

A History of Neglect

This is not the first time the Pockwock Lake facility has failed. In July 2024, an electrical issue caused a 40-hour boil water advisory. Halifax Water had promised upgrades, including an automated chlorine backup system, but these improvements are still incomplete—just days away from finalization. Why weren’t they prioritized sooner?

What Is Being Done?

Halifax Water has apologized and pledged to complete the upgrades. However, apologies alone won’t fix the system. An investigation is underway to determine why the backup generator failed to maintain chlorination, but residents are demanding more than just investigations—they want accountability and action.

What’s Next?

Residents are encouraged to stay updated through the Halifax Water website or by calling the Customer Care Centre at 902-420-9287.

But the question remains: how many more boil water advisories will it take before Halifax Water implements lasting change?

This is a developing story, and the community is closely monitoring Halifax Water’s response. Will the utility finally take responsibility, or will residents be left bracing for the next crisis?