Boil water notice issued in Joe Rich

Contributed

In consultation with Interior Health, the Regional District of Central Okanagan has issued a Boil Water Notice for residents served by the Falcon Ridge Water System in the Central Okanagan East Electoral Area off Hwy 33.

Due to higher water levels and flows in nearby Mission Creek and localized flooding, turbidity in the water system source has resulted in a poor turbidity water rating.

The health risk posed to particularly at risk populations such as newborns, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems increases as turbidity levels rise.

Turbidity can interfere with disinfection, limiting chlorine’s ability to remove or inactivate viruses, bacteria and parasites. Current turbidity levels exceed the standard recommended in the Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality.

Until further notice the Regional District and Interior Health recommend that all Falcon Ridge water customers drink boiled water or a safe alternative. Water intended for drinking, washing produce, making beverages or ice, or brushing teeth should be boiled for at least one minute.

Until the Boil Water Notice is rescinded Interior Health recommends the following water purification procedures:

1. Boil water for one minute (rolling boil) or,
2. Disinfect water by adding two drops of household bleach per litre of water (double bleach for cloudy water) and let stand for 20 minutes or
3. Use an alternate supply of water or commercially bottled water.

This Boil Water Notice will be rescinded when turbidity levels return to normal operating levels within acceptable Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water quality.

For information visit the Regional District website water system webpage (regionaldistrict.com/water) or contact RDCO Environmental Services at engineer@cord.bc.ca or 250-469-6241. To subscribe online for Regional District water quality advisories or alerts by email visit regionaldistrict.com/water.