Water main leak found beneath Fraser River bridge after vessel strike

The City of Delta issued a precautionary boil water advisory for Westham Island after a leak was found in a water main beneath the Westham Island Bridge; water testing is underway and bottled water is being supplied.

A leak was discovered in a City of Delta water main beneath the Fraser River under the Westham Island Bridge, and the City issued a precautionary boil water advisory for Westham Island on Friday evening. The leak was identified during bridge inspections following a marine vessel striking the bridge earlier this week. TransLink has said the bridge’s damage is more significant than first believed and vehicle traffic remains closed while pedestrian access and a shuttle service continue. The City is conducting water sampling and assessments and has said it will provide further updates as results are available. Current facts: - The City of Delta issued a precautionary boil water advisory for Westham Island and began water sampling and assessments. - The leak is in a water main beneath the Fraser River under the Westham Island Bridge; no contamination has been reported so far and testing is ongoing. - The leak was found during bridge inspections after a tug towing a barge struck the bridge earlier this week, and officials have not confirmed whether the collision caused the leak. - Bottled water is being delivered to Westham Island and is available at the foot of the bridge; vehicle access to the bridge remains closed while pedestrian access and a free shuttle operate. Summary: The advisory affects Westham Island residents, local farms, and nearby operations while water quality testing continues. Additional updates will be provided by the City as test results and further assessments become available; the timing and cause of the leak are undetermined at this time.