After an investigation into the water line break at the Leader Integrated Health Care Facility, details have been released regarding the cause, damages and ongoing patient care.

Brenda Schwan, executive director for continuing care with Integrated Rural Health, commented on the patient care and continuing communications between the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) and the residents.

Schwan stated that the 25 residents, as per a previous news release, have all been taken in and cared for by neighboring long-term care facilities or by family members. Initially seven residents were taken in by family, two have been since moved to care facilities in either Cabri, Swift Current, Kindersley and Maple Creek along with the other 18 residents.

Derek Miller, executive director of infrastructure management, shared what the investigation revealed as to the cause and further discussed damages and other questions pertaining to the integrity of the building.

Miller explained they believed the cause of the incident was a sprinkler line break. The lines, which are above the ceiling, did not have adequate insulation causing them to burst. While assessments were taking place following the initial incident, a second break occurred as ice remained in some areas of the pipes. Due to the large amount of water shed from the original burst, Miller said the second incident was to a much lesser degree.

It was outlined that the burst happened in the older side of the facility, which Schwan said was built in the 1960’s. Miller explained although the burst originated in the old building, the water soon came down the hall that links to the new side of the facility, causing damage in both buildings.

Currently it has been determined that damage has occurred to several aspects of the buildings including, electrical panels, drywall and flooring. Miller said they are unsure of the estimated cost of damages and are working with their insurance company to determine liability and coverage.

In previous statements by the SHA, it was said although there was back-up generator, in this circumstance it was compromised. Miller expanded on this topic, explaining that the water seeped into the basement and actually compromised the transfer wire that would transfer the power to the generator which is kept in a different enclosure outside the building. Given the circumstance, they decided to cut all power to prevent fires and further electrical issues.

Despite the rarity of the situation, the back-up generator system is being evaluated to assess if changes can be made to avoid a similar situation in the future.

According to Miller, no issues or events provided any warning leading up the incident. Questions were asked regarding the obviousness of properly insulating pipes given the history of Saskatchewan winters. The response given by Miller reiterated the location of the pipes, being above the ceiling in an area that subsequently was not insulated well enough, in conjunction with the age of the side of the building the break occurred. He added that since the break, they have explored other areas that may be subject to a similar issues, to avoid future breaks and ensure pipes are in fact, insulated properly.

Schwan, through her report on patient care, referenced multiple times that the residents are kept in touch with regularly to assess the level of care being provided and said all the patients are comfortable and being provided with the care they require.

Residents however, will have to wait a couple weeks longer before returning to the facility as it is still drying out and undergoing repairs.

Miller said that given the current state of the facility and taking into consideration the work that is left to be complete, he said he expects that residents will be able to return by the end of February.