Water Quality Advisory issued for West Kelowna Estates System

 

The City of West Kelowna, in consultation with Interior Health, is issuing a Water Quality Advisory, until further notice, for the West Kelowna Estates Service Area due to higher than normal turbidity at the Okanagan Lake intake.

 

View a map at westkelownacity.ca/waterquality to confirm if your property is in the service area. 

 

Turbidity affects the performance of the chlorine disinfection process because bacteria, protozoa, viruses and other microorganisms can attach themselves to suspended particles in the turbid water. These particles can interfere with disinfection by shielding the microorganisms from the chlorine.

 

Under a Water Quality Advisory, 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 and ice, preparing food and beverages and washing fruits and vegetables.

 

The bulk filling station at Shannon Lake and Asquith Roads provides a safe, alternative source of drinking water from the state of the art Powers Creek Water Filtration Plant that uses multiple methods of treatment, which the City will replicate at the Rose Valley treatment facility when completed in 2022. Customers can use the touch-free filling station free during the Water Quality Advisory. Bring clean bottles for filling. The tap is located on the Asquith Road side of the facility. To prevent communicable diseases such as COVID-19 and the flu, we recommend that users not touch the station nor their faces and sanitize their hands before and after using the facility. We recommend masks and social distancing for those seeking added protection.

 

The City will inform residents, via its e-news service, as soon as it is able to rescind the Water Quality Advisory. To receive news, alerts, and updates on Rose Valley Water Treatment Plant, sign up at westkelownacity.ca/subscribe.