Update: Greater Vernon Boil Water Advisory Remains Through Weekend

Update: 1:30 pm

The Regional District of North Okanagan says the boil water notice for Greater Vernon will remain in place through the weekend.

“Improvements have been seen in the turbidity at Duteau Creek and Kalamalka Lake intakes, however based on the factors of uncertain weather conditions throughout the weekend and high water levels in creeks and lakes, the notice will continue,” says an RDNO release.

Greater Vernon Water and Interior Health issued the notice for customers last Saturday due to high turbidity.

The areas covered include the City of Vernon, District of Coldstream, Electoral Areas ‘B’ & ‘C’, some areas of Electoral Area ‘D’ and Spallumcheen (Stepping Stones subdivision ).

Staff are monitoring water quality and are working closely with IH to return the system back to normal conditions.

Why are customers affected?

Customers of Greater Vernon Water are supplied with water from Kalamalka Lake and Duteau Creek.

Due to increased water levels, the turbidity exceeded standards at both water intakes. Turbidity (cloudiness) has the potential to disrupt or overload drinking water disinfection processes, reducing the effectiveness of treatment. The water is rated as POOR until further testing has been completed.

What does a Poor rating mean?

A poor rating means that all customers should exercise caution when using the water for consumption purposes.

What should customers do?

Water intended for the following uses should be boiled for one minute:

• drinking

• preparing any foods

• washing fruits and vegetables

• making beverages or ice

• brushing teeth

Customers will be informed when water quality returns to normal via road signs and a follow up media release. If you have any questions about this Boil Notice, please contact the RDNO at 250-550-3682 or check online at www.rdno.ca.

The Regional District of North Okanagan says it will be issuing an update Friday on the boil water notice impacting Greater Vernon residents.

It was put in place last Saturday due to high turbidity in both the Kalamalka Lake and Duteau water sources caused by rain and snow melt

Water quality manager Renee Clark says they have been waiting for water samples to be returned by Interior health.

“We hope to lift it, but want to see how the rain event affects the water sources,” Clark tells Kiss FM.

Over 50-thousand customers are impacted by the precautionary notice.