City of Thompson crews are on Gay Street today, June 17, 2026, repairing a water main break that could briefly disrupt service to homes and businesses in the area. The City posted notice about the break on June 16, advising residents and property owners of possible service disruptions and a road closure near 47 Gay Street.
Gay Street is a busy commercial and industrial route in Thompson, home to businesses like Manitoulin Transport and Stittco Energy. The repair may affect water pressure or supply for those nearby. Public Works crews are handling the fix, and the City asks for patience as they get the job done safely.
Water main breaks are a regular challenge in Thompson, where the City of Thompson Water and Wastewater Utility deals with 4 to 7 breaks every week. The city’s extreme northern climate, with ground that freezes up to 8 feet deep each winter, puts heavy stress on older pipes. Breaks are prioritized by risk to public health, the amount of water being lost, and potential damage to property.
Since 2022, Thompson has poured more than $40 million into upgrading aging water and sewer lines, backed by federal and provincial funds through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program. So far, around 5.5 kilometres of water mains and nearly two kilometres of wastewater mains have been replaced. A major push began with a $46.9 million funding package announced in 2021, aiming to rehab over 13.8 kilometres of water pipes and 3.3 kilometres of wastewater pipes in the coming years.
To better handle the deep frost, Thompson became the first Canadian city to use pre-insulated REHAU MUNICIPEX water-service pipe, designed to stand up to the harsh conditions that cause so many breaks. This kind of investment is part of a long-term plan to reduce the number of emergency repairs like the one on Gay Street.
Anyone with questions about the repair or water service can reach the City’s Public Works department at 204-677-7970.
