The number of Greater Vernon residents boiling their water has skyrocketed.
About 8,000 homes on the Duteau Creek source were placed on a boil water alert Friday, joining 250 homes on the East Kalamalka Lake source who have been dealing with a similar situation for a week.
“For this time of the year, it’s unusual to have a boil and to have two is even more unusual,” said Al Cotsworth, North Okanagan Regional District water manager.
The only water source not impacted is the North Kal Lake intake.
The Duteau Creek advisory became necessary after an undetermined event led to a spike in turbidity (cloudiness).
“The flows in the creek are low and the banks are stable because they’re frozen so it’s unusual to get high turbidity levels,” said Cotsworth.
Crews were touring the creek Friday to try and determine what may have caused the turbidity increase. It’s also not known when the boil water advisory will be lifted for Duteau customers in Coldstream, the BX and Vernon.
“We don’t know what caused it so it’s hard to say,” said Cotsworth.
The East Kal Lake alert was issued last weekend after a sewage lift station on Ponderosa Way overflowed and some untreated sewage got into Kalamalka Lake. It could be at least Monday until a decision is made on lifting that notice.
“With sewage, we don’t want to take any chances,” said Cotsworth.
The areas affected by that notice are: Ponderosa Way, Juniper Drive, Tamarack Drive, Sumac Lane, Kinloch Drive, Briar Drive, Coldstream Creek Road west of McClounie Road, Kidston Road south of and including 7800, Cunliffe Road south of and including 7909, Tassie Drive, Linden Drive, Holtam Drive, Sage Drive, Senita Court, Corona Court, Harper Drive and Ormsby Drive.
The alert also impacts all private domestic water intakes on the north end of Kalamalka Lake.
To try and reduce the potential risk to residents, the East Kal Lake intake had been shut off and the area was being supplied with Duteau Creek water. However, because of the Duteau Creek situation, the 250 homes are now receiving their water from the East Kal source again.
All customers of the Duteau and East Kal Lake sources are asked to boil their water for one minute for drinking, washing fruits and vegetables, making beverages or ice and brushing teeth.
Customers can also choose to use bottled or distilled water.
About 8,000 homes on the Duteau Creek source were placed on a boil water alert Friday, joining 250 homes on the East Kalamalka Lake source who have been dealing with a similar situation for a week.
“For this time of the year, it’s unusual to have a boil and to have two is even more unusual,” said Al Cotsworth, North Okanagan Regional District water manager.
The only water source not impacted is the North Kal Lake intake.
The Duteau Creek advisory became necessary after an undetermined event led to a spike in turbidity (cloudiness).
“The flows in the creek are low and the banks are stable because they’re frozen so it’s unusual to get high turbidity levels,” said Cotsworth.
Crews were touring the creek Friday to try and determine what may have caused the turbidity increase. It’s also not known when the boil water advisory will be lifted for Duteau customers in Coldstream, the BX and Vernon.
“We don’t know what caused it so it’s hard to say,” said Cotsworth.
The East Kal Lake alert was issued last weekend after a sewage lift station on Ponderosa Way overflowed and some untreated sewage got into Kalamalka Lake. It could be at least Monday until a decision is made on lifting that notice.
“With sewage, we don’t want to take any chances,” said Cotsworth.
The areas affected by that notice are: Ponderosa Way, Juniper Drive, Tamarack Drive, Sumac Lane, Kinloch Drive, Briar Drive, Coldstream Creek Road west of McClounie Road, Kidston Road south of and including 7800, Cunliffe Road south of and including 7909, Tassie Drive, Linden Drive, Holtam Drive, Sage Drive, Senita Court, Corona Court, Harper Drive and Ormsby Drive.
The alert also impacts all private domestic water intakes on the north end of Kalamalka Lake.
To try and reduce the potential risk to residents, the East Kal Lake intake had been shut off and the area was being supplied with Duteau Creek water. However, because of the Duteau Creek situation, the 250 homes are now receiving their water from the East Kal source again.
All customers of the Duteau and East Kal Lake sources are asked to boil their water for one minute for drinking, washing fruits and vegetables, making beverages or ice and brushing teeth.
Customers can also choose to use bottled or distilled water.
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