Greater Vernon Water advises customers that the Kalamalka Lake water source was turned off Saturday due to turbidity that can reduce the ultraviolet disinfection effectiveness at the Mission Hill treatment plant.
The plant treats water from Kalamalka Lake with ultraviolet disinfection but does not have filtration. As a result, the water quality can be vulnerable to changes occurring in and around the lake.
“The decision to turn off the Kalamalka Lake water source was based on increased turbidity from spring runoff, especially noted in Coldstream Creek and its affect on the intake in Kalamalka Lake,” said Renee Clark, water quality manager.
“All water in the Greater Vernon service area will be supplied from the Duteau Creek water treatment plant to avoid issuing a boil water notice to customers normally on Kalamalka Lake. Customers who are not normally on the Duteau water source may notice that the water is softer and the water has a low alkalinity and pH. This may be of interest to those customers who have in-home water treatment systems or aquariums.”
Clark says staff will continue to monitor water quality and notify customers of any further changes.
