Boil water notice downgraded in West Kelowna

The City of West Kelowna, in consultation with Interior Health, is temporarily downgrading the Boil Water Notice for the Lakeview-Rose Valley System to a Water Quality Advisory, effective immediately and through Monday, September 7.

The Boil Water Notice was required after an unforeseen mechanical complication at the chlorination facility Sunday, August 30 resulted in non-disinfected water entering the system. City crews worked quickly to make necessary repairs, restore the chlorine disinfection process, and conduct the subsequent required multiple water quality tests.

The tests confirm that a Water Quality Advisory must remain in effect due to higher than normal turbidity remaining in the system from the seasonal breakdown of algae in Rose Valley Reservoir. Increased turbidity can affect the chlorine disinfection process because bacteria, protozoa and other microorganisms can attach themselves to suspended particles in the turbid water, shielding them from the chlorine.

Beginning Tuesday, September 8, a scheduled Boil Water Notice will again be required to accommodate water main tie in work required to prepare for the eventual connection of the Lakeview-Rose Valley System to the future Rose Valley Water Treatment Plant. More information regarding the project will be released Thursday, September 3.

The Pritchard-Sunnyside System also remains on a Water Quality Advisory.

To determine if you live in the Lakeview-Rose Valley or Pritchard-Sunnyside System, check out the Water Quality Advisory Map at westkelownacity.ca/waterquality.

Under a Water Quality Advisory, children, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems, 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, food, ice, 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. In keeping with COVID-19 guidelines, users should not touch the station nor their faces, sanitize their hands before and after using the station, and maintain a safe distance of two meters between themselves and others.