Kemp Lake Water Distribution System has issued a boil water warning to area residents after a water test revealed unknown contaminants.
“They just got a bad reading, so it’s probably nothing,” said John McCrae, a KLWD spokesperson.
McCrae added that the boil water order serves more as a precaution to Kemp Lake residents who depend on the water daily.
Another sample went in on Tuesday, with a third sample to go in on Wednesday. McCrae said if everything’s clear, the boil water order will be lifted.
Still, he noted the results were a bit surprising.
“We check the chlorine daily and we have records to show that the chlorine was good,” he said, adding that the test may have been contaminated in the lab, or the sample bottle was contaminated before it got put in.
KLWD has been working with the Capital Regional District and Vancouver Island Health Authority to help analyze its water tests.
Some similar issues with Kemp Lake floated to the top in the past as well. Earlier this year, the CRD said the lake needs an improved water system to meet VIHA’s safe drinking water guidelines.
As a result KLWD looked at several options, including the construction of a new water treatment plant and hooking up to the CRD water system.
Despite the negative test result, McCrae said he doesn’t expect the boil water order to last for long.
