Emergency repair will mean no water for some homes

Jun 30, 2020 | 3:15 PM

A major water main serving Greater Vernon Water is under emergency repair.

As a result, the regional district says some areas in the BX serviced by the North BX pump station will be shut off water for 24 hours effective this evening.

See map of affected areas here.

RDNO says should water use remain high a second area will be included in the shut off, the south BX pump station.

Click here for a map of homes possibly affected.

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Customers should prepare for 24 hours without water by filling up jugs to store drinking water (ie: fridge and bath tubs can be filled to store water for cooking and cleaning).

Large agricultural water services are being turned off to limit flows and industrial water users are asked to reduce use as much as they can.

“All customers can do their part to help our water system by reducing water use,” said an RDNO news release. “This will avoid the need to turn off larger sections of the water system. MANDATORY – NO OUTDOOR USE for the repair period: Tuesday-Friday. Turn off automatic sprinklers and drip irrigation systems that are set to run overnight.”

RDNO said the water main break is located at an early point in the distribution system, meaning that most GVW customers will have to be served by one source instead of the two the district usually rely upon. Crews attempted to complete the repair Tuesday morning but were unable to do so due to high water use within the system.

“We estimate that the repair will be completed by Thursday morning, but GVW is asking customers to continue to not use water outdoors until Friday,” said the release.

If you have any questions, contact the RDNO Utilities Department at 250-550-3700.

Greater Vernon Water (GVW), in conjunction with Interior Health, advises customers who are affected by the emergency water service shut off are under a Water Quality Advisory effective Tuesday, June 30 to Friday, July 3.

As a precaution, all customers who are out of water during our emergency water main repair are on a temporary water quality advisory.

As a result of the shut off, water quality may be affected for a period after the water is turned back on.

When the water is turned back on please run your tap until the water clears before consuming or doing laundry.

Until the Water Quality Advisory is rescinded, the following customers should exercise caution when using water for consumption purposes:

· Young children

· Elderly

· People with weakened immune systems. (Customers who are unsure whether their immune system is compromised should discuss with a physician if they should always take these precautions).

For these customers, water intended for the following uses should be boiled for one minute:

Drinking
Brushing teeth
Washing fruits & vegetables to be eaten raw
Preparing any foods
Mixing baby formula
Making beverages or ice

If you have any questions about this Water Quality Advisory, please contact RDNO-GVWU at 250-550-3700 or check our website at www.rdno.ca.

by Pete McIntyre

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