Black Diamond, Turner Valley face dwindling water supply

The towns of Black Diamond andTurner Valley are in a hurry to find a new source of water.

Since losing its water treatment plant in the flood last June, Black Diamond has been getting water pumped over fromTurner Valley, which is just westacross the Sheep River.

But because both towns also lost wells in the flood and there is currently only a 71-day water supply, Black Diamond Mayor Sharlene Brown said the situation is getting urgent.

There is water going into the water reservoir, its just not a lot to be able to meet the demands of what we need as communities to live on, she said.

Things within the river system moved and, you know, our wells are no longer viable and Turner Valley wells, we lost Turner Valley wells as well. So we have to find new sources of water.

The communities have water use restrictions in place, including a ban on car washing and limits on toilet flushing and washing.

Brown said the longer-term goal is for the two towns to share a new water treatment facility.