The City of Quesnel and Northern Health issued a boil water notice last Friday and that advisory will remain in effect pending additional tests.
The advisory, which covers the entire Quesnel water distribution system, including the bulk water station, was issued after analyses of a water sample taken from well #9 revealed the presence of Cryptosporidium parvum.
“This is the first time the city has received a test result indicating the presence of Cryptosporidium,” communications supervisor for the city of Quesnel, Matt Wood said.
Although only a single well was found to be contaminated with Cryptosporidium, the advisory applies to all of Quesnel as the city’s water supply is a blended system, meaning water from one well could end up in any part of the distribution system, Wood explained.
Cryptosporidium parvum, a single-celled protozoan, is a parasite that infects the intestinal tract and causes cryptosporidiosis.
The primary symptoms of cryptosporidiosis can include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, mild fever and dehydration.
Cryptosporidiosis is of particular concern for young children, the elderly and people with poorly functioning or compromised immune systems as they are at risk of more serious illness when they get the disease.
Detection of Cryptosporidium came as a result of microscopic particulate analysis on water samples taken by the city to determine the influence, if any, of surface water on the city’s wells.
Given the detection of Cryptosporidium in well #9, the city will redo the MPA on all of the city’s wells, Wood said.
Until further notice, people are advised to consider boiling any water that will be used for human consumption (drinking, cooking, brushing teeth) for at least two minutes.
Showering and bathing are fine as long as no water is swallowed.
The risk of Cryptosporidium has been and remains low in Quesnel.
The city tests the water distribution system weekly for coliform and E. coli
at 16 sites throughout the city.
MPA analysis is over and above the testing the city of Quesnel does on the water system.
Northern Health also advises rigorous hand-washing for residents on the City of Quesnel water system, and generally as one of the best ways to keep from getting sick.
For information visit www.quesnel.ca/wateradvisory, www.northernhealth.ca.
