What to do before, during and after a water outage

Prepare for a water outage

To prepare for water outages, print off our outage checklist and keep it with your emergency kit. We recommend keeping the following items on hand:

1. Sealed container of drinking water.
   Store it in a cool, dark place for use in an emergency. Remember to regularly check and replace the container based on its "best before date" label.
2. Household bucket.
   If you receive enough advance notice of an interruption, you can fill up your bathtub with water to use for toilet flushing. Simply pour a bucket of this water in your toilet tank after each flush, and only flush when absolutely necessary.
3. Anti-bacterial hand sanitizer.
   This is useful for hand washing.

If an unforeseen disruption or water main break occurs, our crews will work quickly and safely to have service restored for you within 24 hours.

During a water outage

When your water will be restored depends on the type of outage, location and whether any special parts and equipment are needed.

If you have no water:​

1. Visit our water outage map to determine if the interruption is widespread or only affecting your own property.
   
2. Keep all hot and cold water faucets turned off.
3. Don't use any household applia​nces that require water (e.g., shower, bath, built in fridge ice-maker, dish washer, washing machine, etc.).
4. Continue to check the water outage map​ for updates on your outage and a water tank location. An address will be added if or when an emergency water tank is sent. If an emergency water tank is sent to your neighbourhood, ta​ke clean jugs to fill up with potable water for drinking, cooking and toilet flushing.

Stay safe

Water lines can hold a significant amount of pressure. Sudden failure of large pipes under pressure can result in flooding of an excavation hole in seconds. Plus, heavy machinery around underground pipes and wires is dangerous.

Please keep yourself, your kids and your pets away from construction zones while we're working in your area. That way, repairs can be safe and efficient.

Once your water is restored

• Run a cold water tap for at least five minutes to ensure the water runs clear before any other water-using device is operated. (EPCOR workers test the water to ensure it meets water quality standards).
• Don't run your hot water tap just yet. The impurities could be drawn into your hot water tank and may cause problems with its operation.
• Discard any ice cubes produced by your fridge's ice maker.