A long running boil water advisory for Oyama has been lifted by Interior Health.
The District of Lake Country in conjunction with Interior Health has lifted the boil water notice for the Oyama Lake source which has been in effect since March 2010.
The infrastructure upgrades to the source, as part of the Kal Lake Interconnect project, have resulted in improved reliability and water quality, thereby allowing the boil water notice to be downgraded to a water quality advisory.
The $5.5-million Kalamalka Lake Interconnect project is the first priority of the Water Master Plan and improves water quality for customers on the Oyama and Kalamalka Lake water system. The project would not have been possible without a $3.4 million grant from the federal and provincial governments under the Canada-BC Building Canada Fund. Work to interconnect the Kalamalka Lake and Oyama Lake system with new chlorination facility and reservoir improvements as well as a new pump station at Sawmill Road have kept to schedule.
Work to interconnect the Kalamalka Lake and Oyama Lake system with new chlorination facility and reservoir improvements as well as a new pump station at Sawmill Road have kept to schedule and budget.
“Now that the commissioning exercises are taking place for the Oyama source water, the next step is to install ultra violet disinfection on the Kalamalka Lake source water,” said Greg Buchholz, Operations Manager. “We are moving towards achieving the vision of providing water that is safe to drink in a sustainable and affordable manner for our community and environment.”
Improvements to the Kalamalka Lake source to install an ultra violet disinfection system will require a shutdown of the Kal Lake pump station. During these infrastructure upgrades taking place mid-February to April 2013, customers on the Kalamalka Lake source will be temporarily supplied with water from the Oyama Lake source. The switch over is scheduled to take place Feb. 18, 2013.
“Customers may notice increased yellow or reddish color in the Oyama water due to organics or rust particulates,” said Buchholz. “Water quality monitoring 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 will be on a Water Quality Advisory due to turbidity.”
The water quality advisory means that for children, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems, water should still be boiled for one minute for drinking, washing fruits and vegetables, making beverages or ice and brushing teeth.