Water quality advisory lifted for Upper Fintry

Residents who use the Upper Fintry, Shalal Road, Valley of the Sun water system can once again safely consume their tap water.

The Regional District of Central Okanagan (RDCO) rescinded the Water Quality Advisory that had been in effect for 147 properties since August 8 due to a power outage and fire suppression operations at the White Rock Lake wildfire.

The RDCO states in a release that the water system has been flushed and bacterial tests are negative in accordance with Canadian guidelines for drinking water quality.

The RDCO reminds the public that a Water Quality Advisory remains in place for the Westshore Estates water system, and that customers connected to the system should boil all water for at least a full minute before consuming it; using it to wash fruits or vegetables; using it to make ice or beverages; and using it to brush teeth.

The RDCO also says a safe alternative is using bottled or distilled water for those purposes.

Meantime, a Do Not Consume notice remains in effect for the approximately 295 customers connected to the Killiney Beach water system. The White Rock Lake fire has damaged the system, and residents are advised that even boiling the water will not make it safe for consumption. Residents connected to that system are advised to use safe alternatives like bottled or distilled water, and the RDCO has a self-service filling station at the corner of Westside Road and Firwood Road where residents can access safe water.

The RDCO adds that while the water from the Killiney Beach system is not safe to consume, it is safe to use for bathing, household cleaning and flushing toilets.