Boil Water Notice Downgraded to Water Quality Advisory For West Kelowna Estates

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 18, 2019

In consultation with the Interior Health Authority, the City of West Kelowna has downgraded the Boil Water Notice to a Water Quality Advisory for the West Kelowna Estates System.

A Water Quality Advisory means some risk is associated with consuming drinking water and children, the elderly, people with weakened immune systems and anyone else seeking added protection should use boiled water, or an alternate, safe source, for drinking, brushing teeth, washing fruits and vegetables, preparing food, making beverages and ice and mixing baby formula.

The July 14 Boil Water Notice was prompted by what was thought to be a mechanical failure with the City’s chlorination system for the West Kelowna Estates water service area. The City deployed divers to inspect the intake pipe in Okanagan Lake and discovered that the chlorination dosing line was damaged, possibly by fishing or boating activity on the lake. Repairs were completed, however a Water Quality Advisory is still necessary due to continued higher than normal turbidity.

The City of West Kelowna advises the public of changes in water quality through its website and web subscription service. Residents are encouraged to sign up for e-notifications through the City’s website at www.westkelownacity.ca/notifyme to receive an automatic email advising when any notices are put in place or rescinded.

Free water is available at the bulk water station at Shannon Lake and Asquith Roads. A tap is located on the Asquith Road side of the station. Users must bring their own clean containers and clean hoses if needed and ensure they are suitable for potable water.

The West Kelowna Estates water system serves 1,250 connections and is a chlorination-only facility fed from Okanagan Lake. This system is planned to be connected to the Rose Valley Water Treatment Plant which is currently in design. This state-of-the-art, multi-barrier treatment plant will be fed from the Rose Valley Water Reservoir. The City received a $41 million grant through the provincial and federal Clean Water and Wastewater Fund towards the plant construction. Once further funding is secured, interconnections from the Rose Valley Water Treatment Plant to the Sunnyside/Pritchard and West Kelowna Estates water systems will be constructed.