Concerns about water quality continue to boil over in one Spallumcheen neighbourhood.
About 40 people crowded into council chambers Monday to push for action on the Steele Springs water system because of excessive nitrates.
“People are buying bottled water on a daily or weekly basis or they are drinking the water (from the tap) and that’s not acceptable,” said Al Price, with the Steele Springs Waterworks District.
“The aquifer is a lifeline for up to 300 people in Steele Springs and the Hullcar Valley. The degradation of the aquifer has to stop.”
It’s believed the nitrates may be related to livestock operations in the area.
“We’re not saying anything about dairy farmers in general or dairy farmers specifically,” said Brian Upper, with the waterworks district.
“The entire area should be in a zone that would be considered to be environmentally sensitive.”
There is a do not drink advisory for the area and that has financial implications for anyone trying to sell their homes.
“When potential buyers hear of the do not drink order, they walk away,” said Price, adding that high nitrate levels also threaten farms’ organic status.
Because it could take years for the aquifer quality to improve on its own, the waterworks district has suggested a deep well could be a short-term solution to ensure water supply for residents.
The Steele Springs issue, as well as concerns with other utilities, was raised by Spallumcheen council at the recent Union of B.C. Municipalities conference.
“The (provincial) ministers are aware and they’re talking to each other because this issue isn’t going away,” said Coun. Todd York of managing long-term large-scale farms and the possible impact on water.
“This has become a hot button issue. We seem to have a greater voice. We are at the top of the queue.”
Coun. Christine Fraser says the goal is to find a solution that works for everyone.
“No one is looking to shut anything down,” she said of farm operations.
“We’re going to make sure this gets fixed. We’re cautiously optimistic.”
Another option is to hook the area up to Armstrong’s water source but because of the distance, that could be costly.
