FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 15, 2020
The City of West Kelowna, in consultation with Interior Health Authority, is issuing a Water Quality Advisory for the Sunnyside/Pritchard water system, effective immediately and until further notice, due to high turbidity. This new Water Quality Advisory is in addition to the Water Quality Advisory in the West Kelowna Estates system that was issued on May 9, 2020.
The cause of the higher than normal turbidity in the Sunnyside/Pritchard system is due to sediment from the spring freshet that is flowing into Okanagan Lake from creeks upstream of the water system’s intake.
Increased turbidity can mean bacteria, viruses and microorganisms can attach themselves to the suspended particles in the turbid water. These particles can interfere with disinfection by shielding the microorganisms from the chlorine.
To determine if you are in these two water systems you can view our Water Quality Advisory Map at www.westkelownacity.ca/waterquality.
Children, the elderly and those with weakened immunity must use water brought to a rolling boil for one minute or more, or seek an alternative safe source, for brushing teeth, drinking, making baby formula, preparing food and beverages and washing fruits and vegetables.
A safe alternate source of water is available at the bulk filling station at Shannon Lake and Asquith Roads. The water is free throughout the duration of the Water Quality Advisory. Please bring clean bottles for filling. The tap is located on the Asquith Road side of the station. In keeping with COVID-19 guidelines, crews have installed a touch free system for filling bottles at the station. Also in keeping with health requirements during COVID-19 users should wash hands regularly, avoid touching their faces and maintain a safe social distance of two metres between themselves and all other users.
The bulk filling station receives water via the state-of-the-art Powers Creek Water Filtration Plant. The City is building a similar plant for the Sunnyside/Pritchard, West Kelowna Estates and Lakeview Water Systems. When these water systems are serviced by the new Rose Valley Water Treatment Plant, turbidity will be filtered in the treatment process. Crews have broken ground on the plant site and commissioning of the facility is anticipated for summer of 2022.
These two Water Quality Advisories will remain in effect until further notice. The City of West Kelowna will advise customers as soon as possible when it is able to end the advisories, through the media, via the City’s eNotification system and its Facebook and Twitter feeds and the municipal website at www.westkelownacity.ca/news.
Residents are encouraged to sign up for City eNotifications at www.westkelownacity.ca/subscribe to receive word on Water Quality Advisories and other city news and events.
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