Prince Rupert Lifts State of Emergency, Local Officials Seek Federal Funding to Replace Failing Water Infrastructure

A local state of emergency which had been in place in Prince Rupert for exactly a week, was rescinded on Saturday.

City officials issued the order on December 17th, following three water main breaks which prompted several service disruptions last week.

While the order has now expired, crews remain prepared to deal with additional breaks, which may pop up as the weather warms and the ground thaws.

But, that’s just the most recent issue ultimately stemming from Prince Rupert’s failing, 100 year-old, water distribution infrastructure.

Recent provincial investments have replaced pieces of the system, but MLA Jennifer Rice says that only a complete infrastructure replacement will solve the issue.

Last week, the North Coast MLA penned a letter to Ottawa requesting Federal funding to help fix the system.

Rice says a system failure would likely shut down operations at the Port of Prince Rupert, jeopardizing $60 billion in annual global trade conducted at the port.