By William Crooks
Local Journalism Initiative
The City of Sherbrooke has announced two water use reduction advisories for all residents, businesses, and enterprises for Aug. 13 and 20. The advisories are necessary due to planned maintenance on the water intake pipeline from Lake Memphremagog to the J.-M.-Jeanson water treatment plant. This directive was highlighted in a press release issued on Aug. 8 and elaborated on during a press conference the same day given by Patrice Grondin, Chief of Municipal Engineering at the city’s Engineering, Water, and Major Projects Service.
The advisories will be in effect for 24 hours starting at 7 a.m. on both days. Grondin detailed the rationale for these measures, emphasizing the critical nature of the repairs. “We have identified two minor leaks on the 27-kilometre pipeline that conveys water from Lake Memphremagog to our water treatment plant,” he explained. “These leaks, though minor, are causing us to lose approximately 75 to 80 cubic meters of water daily. Given the strategic importance of this pipeline, we cannot afford to leave it unchecked.”
Grondin assured that the situation is not an emergency. “The leaks are under control, and this intervention has been meticulously planned since the end of spring,” he stated. The repair work will involve welding the joints on the cement and steel pipeline to ensure it is fully sealed.
To facilitate the repairs, the city’s water pumping stations will be shut down temporarily, halting the water supply from the lake to the treatment plant. However, Grondin reassured residents that there would be no shortage of potable water during the maintenance periods. “We have about a dozen reservoirs across our network that will ensure continuous water distribution,” he said. “We are not expecting any water shortages, but we do ask the population to help us reduce consumption to preserve our reserves.”
Residents are urged to limit the use of domestic appliances such as dishwashers and washing machines, avoid filling pools and spas, postpone lawn watering if possible, and generally practice water-saving measures. The city has filled its potable water reserves to full capacity in anticipation of the maintenance work.
Grondin emphasized that the water quality will not be affected by these works, as the repairs are happening upstream of the treatment plant. “There is no need for a boil water advisory,” he confirmed. Additionally, he noted that reminders will be sent to the population the day before each intervention through the MonSherbrooke citizen portal.
During the press conference, Grondin also responded to questions from reporters. When asked about a similar advisory in Magog, he clarified, “Magog has its own water network and treatment plant, and their advisory is unrelated to our work.” He further addressed concerns about potential water supply interruptions due to emergencies, stating, “In case of a major break in our distribution network, we might have to postpone the work. But it would take a significant event for us to change our plans.”
The pipeline in question, which measures 900 mm in diameter, was installed in the mid-1960s and is expected to last over a century. “Given its importance, we are very attentive to its condition,” Grondin said. The city detected the leaks in the spring when certain areas around the pipeline remained wet even during dry periods. “This led us to investigate further, and we discovered the leaks,” he explained.
Grondin also mentioned the cost of the intervention, estimating it to be under $100,000 for both days of work. “This is not a considerable amount, but it is a necessary investment to maintain our infrastructure,” he noted.
For more information about Sherbrooke’s water network and to subscribe to important alerts, residents are encouraged to visit: http://sherbrooke.ca/monsherbrooke and sherbrooke.ca/eaupotable
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