Manitoba

Water main breaks due to dry conditions, says city

City officials are blaming a rash of water main breaks across Winnipeg this weekend on drier than usual conditions over the past year.

City officials are blaming a rash of water main breaks across Winnipeg this weekend on drier than usual conditions over the past year.

This water main break was reported on McDermot Avenue in Winnipeg on Friday night. (CBC)

Public works officials confirmed that crews have been working all weekend to repair a number of water main breaks, including one on McDermot Avenue on Friday night.

The breaks are due to lower than usual amounts of precipitation this summer, a continuation of drier than normal conditions this past winter, a city spokesman said Sunday.

Residents may see some discoloured water, but it does not pose a health risk, the official said.

People are being advised to run their cold water taps for a while if they have discoloured water, and call the city's information line at 311 if the problem persists.

More information about the water main breaks is expected to be released on Monday.