The City of West Kelowna is issuing a water quality advisory for users of the West Kelowna Estates water system due to increased turbidity in water drawn from Okanagan Lake.
The advisory affects approximately 1,000 connections.
Water quality advisories remain in effect for the Pritchard Water System (150 connections) and the Sunnyside water system (1,000 connections).
These unfiltered systems are treated with chlorination only. The city will continue to monitor these systems and will advise customers when the water quality advisory is lifted.
Users are encouraged to sign up for e-notification on the city’s website to have updates automatically emailed directly to them.
Increased turbidity, caused by spring runoff and flooding activity, can mean bacteria, viruses and microorganisms can attach themselves to the suspended particles in the turbid water. These particles can interfere with disinfection by shielding the microorganisms from the chlorine.
It is recommended that children, the elderly, people with weakened immune system and anyone wishing to seek additional protection bring water to a rolling boil for at least 1 minute, or use an alternate, safe source of water, for drinking, brushing teeth, preparing food and mixing baby formula.
Visit Health Link for more information about preventing water-bourne infections.
Free water is available at the City of West Kelowna’s bulk water station at Shannon Lake and Asquith Roads. Water can be accessed at a tap located on the Asquith Road side of the station.
Users need to bring their own containers, and hoses if needed, and ensure they are clean and suitable for potable water. The free access is granted for the duration of the current water quality advisories.
