Water Quality Advisory removed for Sunnyside/Pritchard Service Area

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, Aug. 27, 2021

The City of West Kelowna, in consultation with Interior Health, has rescinded the Water Quality Advisory, for the Sunnyside/Pritchard System.

Seasonal turbidity in Okanagan Lake, which began in mid-July, has now decreased and with the return to normal levels the Water Quality Advisory can be removed.

The Sunnyside/Pritchard Water System is more than 50-years old and provides only one form of treatment – chlorination. 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.

The City of West Kelowna adopted the Sunnyside/Pritchard service at the time of incorporation in 2007. Planning and design are well underway to connect the system to new multi-process Rose Valley Water Treatment Plant, which is currently under construction. Once completed this plant will provide coagulation, flocculation, dissolved air floatation (DAF), deep bed filtration, ultra violet (UV) and chlorine disinfection to provide safe, clean drinking water to 18,000 residents, businesses, schools and other properties in the northern half of the city.

To remain up to date on Water Quality Advisories and Boil Water Notices or receive other City news, alerts, and updates on the Rose Valley Water Treatment Plant, sign up at westkelownacity.ca/subscribe.