Service resumes after ambulances diverted, MUHC appointments cancelled over major water-main break

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The Glen site of the MUHC has no potable water. Patients with appointments are asked not to go to the site.

Published Jul 12, 2024  •  Last updated 38 minutes ago  •  1 minute read

A worker puts up danger tape next to a giant hole in the pavement that is filled with water.
A water main broke Thursday night, July 11, 2024, leaving the Glen site of the MUHC without potable water. Photo by Pierre Obendrauf /The Gazette

Service is resuming at the Glen site of the McGill University Health Centre after a major aqueduct failure Thursday night left it without potable water Friday morning.

Clinic services, including emergency rooms, surgeries and ambulatory services, will ramp up over the day, the MUHC said in a statement at noon.

“Technical Services are monitoring the situation as the water pressure comes back and ensuring a safe return to normal,” the statement said. “The collaboration with the city of Montreal will continue throughout the day.”

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Earlier on Friday, all surgeries, except emergency cases, had been cancelled or transferred to other hospitals and nearly all ambulatory activities were cancelled and were to be rescheduled. The MUHC had asked the public to avoid both the adult and pediatric emergency rooms. The Royal Victoria Hospital, Cedars Cancer Centre, Montreal Chest Institute, Montreal Children’s Hospital or the Research Institute of the MUHC were affected.

  1. A worker conducts an inspection on a flooded section of road.

    A Montreal city worker has a look at flooded Décarie Blvd. at the corner of de Maisonneuve after a main break July 12, 2024.Photo by Pierre Obendrauf /Montreal Gazette

  2. A city worker helps a mother and child navigate a sinkhole on a city street.

    A Montreal city worker helps a mother and child walk across flooded Décarie Blvd. at the corner of de Maisonneuve after a main break July 12, 2024.Photo by Pierre Obendrauf /Montreal Gazette

  3. A section of road is flooded. Barriers are keeping car, bike and pedestrian traffic out of the way.

    Décarie Blvd. is flooded at the corner of de Maisonneuve after a water main break 12, 2024.Photo by Pierre Obendrauf /Montreal Gazette

  4. A worker next to a giant hole in the pavement that is filled with water.

    A water main broke Thursday night, leaving the Glen site of the MUHC without potable water.Photo by Pierre Obendrauf /The Gazette

  5. A worker puts up danger tape next to a giant hole in the pavement that is filled with water.

    A water main broke Thursday night, July 11, 2024, leaving the Glen site of the MUHC without potable water.Photo by Pierre Obendrauf /The Gazette

  6. Workers and detour signs next to a giant hole in the road that is filled with water.

    A water main broke Thursday night, leaving the Glen site of the MUHC without potable water.Photo by Pierre Obendrauf /The Gazette

  7. A person looks at a notice on a door.

    A sign at the front entrance of the MUHC addresses the effects of a water-main break July 12, 2024.Photo by Pierre Obendrauf /Montreal Gazette

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Most scheduled chemotherapy treatments had carried on as usual, the MUHC said.

It provided drinking water to patients and staff and monitored systems that rely on water cooling and air conditioning while services were disrupted.

“We would like to recognize the tremendous teamwork that was on display today,” the MUHC said. “Our teams mobilized overnight and into the morning to ensure patient safety and well-being.”

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