Premier asks regulator for investigation into latest Halifax boil water advisory

After hundreds of thousands of people were left without safe drinking water in the Halifax area this week, the premier is asking the province’s regulator to investigate.

In a letter to the Utility and Review Board (UARB), Tim Houston says thousands of people were inconvenienced and worried because of the incident.

The advisory was issued early Tuesday after a power failure at Halifax Water‘s Pockwock Lake Treatment Facility allowed some unchlorinated water into the system.

“Businesses were disadvantaged and the impact on Nova Scotia’s health system will be felt for months,” Houston wrote in his letter.

This week’s advisory came after a similar incident last July saw a boil water advisory issued for people serviced by the same facility.

“Taxpayers expect Halifax Water to put the safety of its customers first,” wrote Houston, adding he wants the UARB to identify weaknesses and suggest ways to “restore competence and confidence in the organization.”

The letter also notes issues with transparency at Halifax Water, including that the utility did not initially tell customers that it was no longer adding fluoride to some water supplies.