Watermain flushing moves to Tallus Ridge neighbourhood

Date of Issue: Friday, Oct. 3, 2025

The City of West Kelowna’s watermain flushing program is progressing, with crews scheduled to begin work in Zone RV04B (see map), the Tallus Ridge neighbourhood of the Rose Valley Water Service Area, beginning Monday, Oct. 6, 2025.

An isolated, precautionary water quality advisory will be in effect within Zone RV04B due to the flushing and will continue until the work is completed, which is expected to take a few weeks or more, with this schedule subject to change due to weather and other factors. The City will keep customers informed and issue an update when flushing is scheduled to move to the next zone.

Flushing is completed in Zone RV04A and the related isolated, precautionary water quality advisory within that zone has now ended. Other than flushing in Zone RV04B, no water quality advisories are in effect in the Rose Valley or Powers Creek Water Service Areas.

Where will crews be flushing

To better help our customers know specifically where flushing will be occurring within each zone, the City will provide updated street lists. Work in Zone RV04B is scheduled for the following streets beginning Monday, Oct. 6:

• Paramount Drive
• Crown Crest Drive
• Crown Crest Place
• Mountains Hollow Lane 
• Tallus Green Crescent
• Tallus Green Place
• Tallus Heights Drive
• Tallus Heights Lane
• Big Sky Drive
• Ryser Place
• Eagle Ridge Drive

The City will provide subsequent street names for Zone RV04B mid-October and beyond, via our social media channels and on our webpage at westkelownacity.ca/flushing.

About the water quality advisory and a caution for parents with infants

While the watermain flushing is occurring, those living in Zone RV04B (see map) will be on an isolated, precautionary water quality advisory. For water quality advisory information, please visit Interior Health’s Drinking Water For Everyone webpage. 

Due to the potential for settled manganese in the mains to be stirred up from planned watermain flushing, it is recommend that parents with infants in Zone RV04B not use tap water to reconstitute formula while watermain flushing is occurring within their zone.

During the watermain flushing program, the City is providing residents with an alternative source of potable drinking water at the bulk filling station at Shannon Lake and Asquith Roads. Please bring clean bottles for filling.

How will you know if flushing is happening in your area?

1.   Flushing will occur from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday to Friday, with possible weekend, holiday or evening work.

2.   To help residents know when flushing is occurring in their area, crews will post signs, and residents may hear and see City staff and vehicles working at a nearby hydrant; the City will also provide an updated list of street names, via social media and our dedicated webpage at westkelownacity.ca/flushing, as flushing moves through each zone.

3.   Residents may notice water being safely directed to an adjacent storm sewer or transported off site in a water truck.

4.   The City will also provide updates through the City’s eNotification system, social media and website when flushing progresses to other zones.

5.   Stay signed up to receive City news and alerts directly to your email inbox and invite your neighbours to sign up at westkelownacity.ca/subscribe.

Manganese and flushing

Flushing helps remove accumulated sediment, which can include manganese, which has settled in the distribution pipes and mains over time and can be stirred up through high flows and velocities. This is expected for a water system of this age, which had no water treatment plant for decades. 

Where can I learn more about the watermain flushing program?

Flushing is a best practices watermain maintenance program. High velocity water is forced through hydrants to remove sediment that has accumulated in the distribution system’s mains over time.

During this process, residents may notice pressure changes and some of the accumulated sediment may make its way to customers taps; therefore, the zone-specific water quality advisory is in effect as a precaution for customers during flushing. If you notice colour/turbidity, do not drink the water and run the cold tap for several minutes until clear. If water does not run clear after 10 minutes, please call the West Kelowna Utilities Department at 778-797-2246. Any disruption or colour/turbidity should be brief and occur only while mains in the area are being flushed.

To learn more, please visit westkelownacity.ca/flushing to:

• View the water quality map and see the various flushing zones.
• Find guides for before, during and after flushing and answers to frequently asked questions.
• Watch a video on the City’s watermain flushing program.