Users of the Vavenby water system continued under a Do No Consume order from Interior Health as of press-time earlier this week. Those drawing their water from the North Thompson River from south of Avola to the junction with the Clearwater River were being advised to check their water for the sheen and smell of diesel.
The order was the result of a tractor-trailer that went into the North Thompson River south of Avola on Monday evening, Jan. 16.
Approximately 800 litres of diesel from the truck’s fuel tank was believed to have entered the river as a result.
Vavenby draws its water from next to the river and is the nearest community water system downstream from the spill.
TNRD officials were notified immediately and Vavenby’s water intake was closed. The water system operators are manually filling the reservoir and monitoring for any signs of fuel contamination.
The regional district hosted a public meeting on Wednesday evening last week at Vavenby Community Hall to discuss the Do Not Consume order.
Attending Wednesday evening’s meeting were representatives from Ministry of Environment, Interior Health Authority (IHA) and TNRD as well as a consulting environmental engineer.
Interior Health advised that water users should use bottled water or an alternate source of water for drinking, making ice, washing dishes, brushing teeth, bathing, and food preparation until further notice and that boiling the water does not make it safe.
Several tests of water from the Vavenby water system done following the spill have shown no traces of diesel.
However, the Do No Consume order remains in effect.
The water samples used for the tests were taken at the water intake, the stand pipe by the mill, and at the reservoir.
In accordance with the IHA order, the TNRD must continue to take regular water samples and develop a remediation plan for the water system in consultation with IHA and a consulting engineer.
TNRD continues to provide Vavenby residents with bottled water. Until further notice, residents can go to the Vavenby Fire Hall between the hours of 12 p.m. (noon) and 7 p.m. to receive eight litres of water per person in each household, per day.
In addition to the restrictions in Vavenby, IHA advises all residents who draw their water from the North Thompson River between Avola and the confluence of the Clearwater River to be cautious and check their water for any signs of diesel fuel (sheen or fuel odour).
District of Clearwater made available the opportunity for Vavenby residents to shower at the Sportsplex.
The arrangement is expected to continue at least until Friday, Jan. 27.
During weekdays the showers are available 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., with separate dressing rooms for families, men and women.
People are asked to follow the signage or ask for a staff member when arriving.
Bus service to the Sportsplex was to leave Vavenby store at 6 p.m. during the week.
