The McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) says it has no potable water at its facilities at the Glen site Friday after a major aqueduct failure caused a reduction in water pressure.
“The Emergency Measures Coordination Centre of the MUHC has already met several times since 3 a.m. last night to deal with the situation,” officials said. “We are diligently working with the City of Montreal to restore the situation as quickly as possible.”
The City of Montreal explains the problem is due to a water main break on the corner of Decarie and de Maisonneuve boulevards.
Officials are asking people to avoid the area completely.
The situation affects the following facilities:
- Royal Victoria Hospital
- Cedars Cancer Centre
- Montreal Chest Institute
- Montreal Children’s Hospital
- Research Institute of the MUHC
As a result, the MUHC says all surgeries, except emergencies, have been cancelled or transferred to other hospitals; outpatient visits, endoscopies and other procedures will be rescheduled.
“We are asking people with outpatient or surgical appointments scheduled not to come to the site,” the hospital notes. “We will be contacting affected patients as soon as possible.”
Ambulances are being diverted to other hospitals, and the MUHC is asking people to avoid its emergency rooms.
The MUHC says it has no potable water at its facilities after a major aqueduct failure. (Scott Prouse/CTV News)
The MUHC says most patients who have chemotherapy treatments will receive them as scheduled.
“Drinking water is being provided to all patients and staff,” the hospital adds. “All systems that rely on water cooling and air conditioning, such as imaging machines, the laboratories and IT systems, are being closely monitored.”
In addition, MUHC officials say any staff working on Friday must use Saint-Jacques Street to access the parking lot.