ANTIGONISH: Town crews worked late into the evening early last week to restore Antigonish’s municipal water supply after a major transmission water main break disrupted service.
The incident occurred around 11:30 a.m. on Aug. 5, when a contractor working in the Gravel Pit Road area accidentally damaged the main water line carrying water from the James River Dam to the town’s treatment plant.
The damage brought the flow of water to a halt, forcing an immediate shutdown of the plant.
“This line is a key part of our system,” the town said in a statement. “The damage resulted in an immediate stop to the flow of water to the Town’s water treatment plant.”
Public Works crews were on site quickly to assess the situation and begin repairs. The flow from the dam was shut off to allow the work to proceed safely. While early estimates suggested repairs could take up to two days, the team managed to complete initial fixes and restart the treatment plant by 10 p.m. the same day.
During the shutdown, the town relied on water stored in its towers, which typically hold about two days’ supply for normal use. The system performed as expected, though residents may still notice lower water pressure until the towers are fully replenished.
The town says ensuring a safe and reliable water supply remains its top priority, especially as the region continues to experience an extended dry spell.