Water main leak found beneath Fraser River bridge after vessel strike | Daily Hive

Damage to the Westham Island Bridge following a marine vessel collision on Jan. 20, 2026. (Dylan Kruger)

The City of Delta issued a precautionary boil water advisory for Westham Island on Friday evening after a leak was discovered in a water main running beneath the Fraser River underneath the Westham Island Bridge.

The advisory took effect as the City began conducting water sampling and assessments of the affected water system. At this time, there is no evidence of contamination in the water supply, but tests are being carried out. Until further notice, residents are advised to use only boiled or bottled water for drinking, cooking, brushing teeth, washing dishes, washing ready-to-eat foods, making ice, and preparing infant formula.

According to the City, the leak was identified during bridge assessments conducted after a marine vessel struck the Westham Island Bridge earlier this week.

You might also like:

To support residents during the advisory, bottled water is being delivered to Westham Island and will be available at the foot of the bridge on the Westham Island side of the bridge. Westham Island is home to major farming businesses, a few hundred residents, and a wildlife preserve.

It should be noted that officials have not stated whether the water main leak is related to the collision incident, such as whether the marine vessel strike that damaged the bridge structure may also have caused disturbance to the riverbed below, where the water main is located. The City has not indicated when the leak may have begun or what caused it.

The City states additional updates will be provided as water quality testing continues and more information becomes available.

westham island bridge damage jan 20 2026

Damage to the Westham Island Bridge following a marine vessel collision on Jan. 20, 2026. (Dylan Kruger)

A tug boat towing a large barge was involved in the bridge collision on Tuesday evening, which prompted the immediate closure of the bridge to vehicles. Pedestrian access has been retained, and a free shuttle bus is operating between Ladner bus exchange and the east end of the bridge.

On Thursday evening, TransLink, which owns and operates the 1910-built wooden bridge, issued an update, stating that the damage to the bridge was “more significant” than originally believed and that the true extent of the structural damage is still not known. More detailed inspection of the structure is needed, and it could take several weeks for the repairs to be completed, but this could change due to a wide range of factors and unknown variables.

Prior to the incident, TransLink had begun preliminary planning to replace the aging, vulnerable crossing.

Westham Island Bridge. (Google Maps)

Westham Island Bridge. (Josef Hanus/Shutterstock)

Location of Westham Island Bridge. (Google Maps)

You might also like: