More than 220 surgeries and medical procedures scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday in the Halifax Regional Municipality have been postponed due to a boil-water advisory affecting over 200,000 people.
The advisory, which remains in place, is linked to a power issue at the J.D. Kline (Pockwock Lake) water treatment facility.
The delays impact surgeries and endoscopies at the QEII Health Sciences Centre and other affected health facilities. While urgent and high-risk procedures are proceeding as planned, the advisory has caused significant disruptions for many patients.
The boil-water order covers areas including Beaver Bank, Middle and Lower Sackville, Upper Hammonds Plains, Bedford, Fall River, Halifax, Timberlea, Spryfield, and Herring Cove. Residents in these areas are advised to boil water for at least one minute before use for drinking, cooking, or any consumption-related purposes.
The number of delays could grow if the advisory remains in effect. Halifax Water has not provided an estimate for when the issue will be resolved, leaving many surgeries and procedures in limbo.
Affected residents can check the advisory’s coverage using an interactive map provided by Halifax Water.