McAllister Drive Watermain Replacement

Update - September 5, 2025

A boil water order has been issued to the Forest Hills area. To determine if your property is affected, please consult the interactive map linked here: McAllister Drive Service Disruption (2025)

Warning: Boil Water Before Using

A boil water order has been issued for the above addresses on the Saint John Water municipal water system.

What happened?

As a result of infrastructure improvement, the Department of Health has advised Saint John Water to impose a boil water order to those residents and businesses between and including all the addresses listed above.

Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those in the affected area who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand.

What should you do?

• DO NOT DRINK THE WATER WITHOUT BOILING IT FIRST. Bring water to a rolling boil, let it boil for at least one minute, and let it cool before using. Otherwise, use bottled water. Boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking, brushing teeth, making ice, juice, coffee or tea, or washing vegetables that will not be cooked. Boiling kills bacteria and other organisms in the water.
• Those who immune system is compromised, such as the elderly, infants and people with transplanted organs, on dialysis, with HIV/AIDS, etc. should pay attention to the use of a safe source of drinking water. Water that has been properly boiled is considered a safe source.
• It is safe for people to take showers, bathe and use swimming pools.
• It is safe to wash dishes in hot, soapy water and then air dry. It is safe to use a dishwasher.
• The presence of low chlorine means that disinfection may not be effective and thus there may be bacteria in the water that can cause illness in humans. These organisms can cause diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches, or other symptoms. They may pose a special health risk for infants, young children, some of the elderly, and people with severely compromised immune systems.
• Organisms in drinking water are not the only cause of the symptoms above. If you experience any of these symptoms and they persist, you may want to seek medical advice. People at increased risk should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers.

What is being done?

We are evaluating all available information and working closely with the Department of Health. We will inform you when you no longer need to boil your water.

For more information, please contact Saint John Water at 506-658-4455.

McAllister Drive Watermain Replacement (Mountain View Drive to Loch Lomond Road)

The City of Saint John is getting ready to upgrade a key section of water infrastructure on McAllister Drive, between Mountain View Drive and Loch Lomond Road. This important work will help ensure safe, reliable water service for residents in Forest Hills and along Golden Grove Road for years to come. By replacing aging pipes now, we’re helping to prevent future service disruptions and keeping our water system strong. This project is also part of a larger plan to improve the road surface on McAllister Drive—so once the work is done, drivers will enjoy a smoother, more comfortable commute through this busy area.

Why This Project Matters

The existing watermain is over 300mm in diameter and plays a vital role in supplying drinking water to thousands of homes and businesses. It also supports three pressure zones across the city. Over the past decade, this section of pipe has failed multiple times, most recently between Mountain View Drive and Loch Lomond Road. During that repair, signs of long-term deterioration were found—prompting the need for proactive replacement to avoid future service disruptions.

What to Expect

• Construction Timeline: August 13 to September 12, 2025
• Location: McAllister Drive (Mountain View Drive to Loch Lomond Road)
• Water Service Disruptions: Three planned shutdowns, including one overnight shutdown affecting over 800 properties. These will be communicated in advance.
• Traffic: Two-way traffic will be maintained with on-site traffic control.

This project is also coordinated with the City’s 2025 paving program. Once the watermain is replaced, McAllister Drive will be resurfaced—improving road conditions and ensuring long-term value for residents.

Planned Watermain Shutdown

As part of the ongoing McAllister Drive Watermain Replacement Project, Saint John Water will be conducting a planned overnight watermain shutdown beginning Friday, September 5 at 9:00 p.m. until 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 6. This shutdown is necessary to safely complete a critical phase of the infrastructure upgrade.

Water service will be temporarily interrupted overnight for approximately 800 properties in the Forest Hills area.

To determine if your property will be affected by the shutdown, please consult the interactive map linked here.

We recommend storing water for essential use during this time and ensuring all taps are turned off.

For more information, contact the City of Saint John at (506) 658-4455 or visit saintjohn.ca.