Crews in Dawson City, Yukon, worked tirelessly despite freezing temperatures to fix two water main breaks that disrupted the community throughout the week. The first break at Robert Service School was followed by another break at the Westminster Hotel, causing frozen pipes in several connected properties.
City officials reported on Sunday that around 80 homes still had frozen lines, with crews and contractors from the city, Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in First Nation, and the Yukon government Emergency Management Organization collaborating to repair the damages and restore water access across the city.
Efforts are focused on thawing out the lines on 4th and 3rd Avenues, with specific attention to each property’s unique challenges. Extensive work near the Westminster Hotel is required, prompting the city to deploy extra personnel and equipment for the task.
The Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in government provided an update on Saturday night, stating that the water main break on 4th Avenue had been fixed, while work on the break on 3rd Avenue was ongoing. Severe weather conditions at -40°C posed significant obstacles to the repair efforts.
Thirteen city blocks in the affected area are grappling with frozen water or sewer lines, leading to a boil water order for select establishments and a boil water advisory for the rest of the city. The city emphasized that while the risk of contamination is low, the advisory remains in place as a precautionary measure.
Residents are advised to exercise caution due to icy conditions in the affected areas and to conserve water when possible. The Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in government has opened the recreation center to provide access to water, bathrooms, and showers for those in need, with water refill stations available at the Dawson Water Plant and Rock Creek.
Despite expectations of improved weather, the potential for further pipe breaks due to temperature changes remains a concern.