Free water is available until further notice to residents living in the City of West Kelowna and Westbank First Nation, via a bulk filling station at Shannon Lake and Asquith Roads.
Water from the station is treated at the Powers Creek Treatment Plant, which uses methods including filtration, UV radiation and chlorination.
West Kelowna Council has directed staff to refit the station to allow access to free water given current water quality advisories affecting the Pritchard and Sunnyside Systems in the City of West Kelowna and the Tsinstikeptum 9 System in Westbank First Nation.
The three systems have been experiencing above normal turbidity, due to rapid seasonal runoff over the past week. The offer of free water via the bulk station has been extended as a courtesy to all City of West Kelowna and Westbank First Nation residents.
Water can be accessed at a tap located on the Asquith Road side of the station. Users need to bring their own containers, and hoses if needed, and ensure they are clean and suitable for potable water.
The free access is granted for the duration of the current water quality advisories.
The bulk water station opened in May 2013 and was built as means of providing contractors an alternative to using fire hydrants. Residents without access to a municipal water system were also able to sign up for a fee. However, when water quality advisories are in effect, council directs staff to enable free access to the clean, potable bulk water at the station.