Multiple water main breaks shut down Saskatoon school, no timeframe for fix

A Saskatoon school has had to switch to online learning after closing its doors due to multiple water main breaks, and there’s no timeframe on when water will be restored.

According to Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools communications consultant Derrick Kunz, students at Bishop Klein Catholic School have been at home since Friday.

“We were notified of the initial break and loss of water Sunday evening. Classes were cancelled for Monday, and today is the fourth consecutive day that classes have been cancelled at Bishop Klein,” Kunz said in an emailed statement Thursday.

Students have shifted to online learning at the elementary school.

In an emailed statement to 650 CKOM Wednesday, the City of Saskatoon’s director of water and waste operations, Brendan Lemke, said crews have been dealing with multiple water main breaks in the area.

“An initial water main break from the weekend was repaired on Monday, and as crews repressurized the line following its repair, a second break occurred. While crews were attending to that 2nd break on Tuesday, two additional breaks were discovered and are currently being repaired (Wednesday),” the statement reads.

“Through this multi-day process, crews have had continuous communications with impacted residents and Bishop Klein School, and have provided temporary water access to impacted residents.”

The water was expected to return to normal at the end of the day Wednesday, but repairs continued Thursday.

The City’s Water and Waste Operations said there were four additional breaks identified at the end of the day Wednesday.

There is currently no timeline for when water will be restored at the school or in the area.