The Boil Water Notice (BWN) for people using the 103 Mile Water System will remain in place until two new wells, pumphouse and a treatment system are in.
That was the message some 70 residents received at a meeting at the 108 Mile Community Hall on Nov. 8.
The Cariboo Regional District (CRD), which took over the 40-year-old water system in late 2015, put the BWN in place on Oct. 19 when routine water samples showed the Total Coliform Bacteria levels were over the acceptable range.
At that point, the CRD delivered leaflets instructing residents what to do before consuming and using the water.
CRD staff continued taking water samples and sending them Interior Health (IH) for testing.
They would have had to receive clean test results for consecutive days before it could lift the BWN.
Those clean results did not occur, and they were some serious concerns about the source of the water system.
These concerns were addressed at the Nov. 8 meeting.
IH environmental health officer Kimberly Porter provided information for the meeting attendees.
She said the BWN will remain in place until action is taken to reduce risk, and treatment is installed.
An engineer’s study found the wells to be at risk of containing pathogens.
The issues
Septic systems are likely within the 30-metre setback to both wells; inadequate well construction and flood proofing; andfrequent positive microbiological sample results (total coliform bacteria).
The upgrade
The CRD approach is to upgrade the system with two new wells, a new pump house and electrical/controls. The systemwould also need a flow meter, chlorination/UV disinfection and a backup generator.
The funding
CRD Environmental Services manager Peter Hughes noted he was applying for a grant from the Canada-British Columbia Clean Water and Wastewater Fund.
The money can be used for drinking water, wastewater and storm water infrastructure projects.
The cost breakdown is 50 per cent from the federal government, 33 per cent from the province and 17 per cent from thelocal government (CRD).
If the grant application is successful, Hughes said it would reduce borrowing from $361,000 to $90,000.
CRD board chair Al Richmond asked those present to sign up on an e-mail list so they can be informed when moreinformation becomes available.
He also urged the meeting attendees to sign up for the CRD’s message alert system, so they can be aware of any issues inthe area.
Richmond, who is the CRD director for Area L that includes the 103 Mile area, said there would be another meeting whencosts and funding are squared away.
