Drinking water infrastructure upgrades to the Kalamalka Lake water source require the system to be temporarily shutdown while work is completed.
With the installation of an ultra violet disinfection system, residents who get their water from Kalamalka Lake will receive Oyama Lake water for the duration of the upgrade.
Between February and April, the pump station for the Kalamalka Lake water source will be shut down.
Customers may notice increased colour (yellow or reddish) in the Oyama water due to organics or rust particulates.
Water quality monitoring (physical, chemical and bacteriological) of the raw water source and distribution system will continue to ensure safe water is being delivered.
Both the Kalamalka Lake water source and the Oyama Lake water source are currently on Water Quality Advisories due to turbidity.
Turbidity is a measure of how clear or cloudy the water is, measured in NTU units.
Particles can interfere with the disinfection process and may reduce chlorines effectiveness. Turbidity in the good and fair range are invisible to the human eye.
The water quality is currently rated as fair. This means all customers who receive water from these sources are now on an Advisory.
Health risks increase as turbidity rises, particularly for at-risk populations such as newborns, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems. Contaminants such as viruses, bacteria and parasites can attach themselves to the suspended particles in turbid water. These particles can then interfere with disinfection, limiting chlorine’s ability to remove or inactivate the contaminants.
“Interior Health recommends that children, the elderly, people with weakened immune systems and anyone seeking additional protection drink boiled water or a safe alternative until further notice. For these at-risk populations, water intended for drinking, washing fruits or vegetables, making juice or ice, or brushing teeth should be boiled for one minute.”
For more information, contact the District of Lake Country at 250-766-6677 (www.lakecountry.bc.ca) or Interior Health at 250-549-5714 (www.interiorhealth.ca).