It will be at least a few days before users of the Vavenby Community Water System know if they can again use the the water.
A semi-truck crashed into the North Thompson River 31 kilometres north of Vavenby, causing diesel fuel to leak into the river upstream of the community, which is about one hour and 40 minutes north of Kamloops on Highway 5 North.
Notes from a Thompson-Nicola Regional District meeting updating users of the water supply stated officials planned to remove the truck and trailer from the river and assess any damage on Monday.
If test results of the water system show no sign of contaminants in the system, it is expected Interior Health will lift its do-not-use notice.
TNRD Electoral Area A director Carol Schaffer told KTW once the truck is removed from the river, the Ministry of Environment will begin testing.
The vehicle was hauling meat, she said.
All water users are advised to use bottled water or an alternate source of water for drinking, making ice, washing dishes, brushing teeth, bathing and food preparation until further notice.
Boiling the water will not make it safe.
Residents who draw their water from the system should check for signs of diesel fuel, such as a sheen or fuel odour.
Clearwater Mayor Merlin Blackwell told KTW his community — located downstream of Vavenby — is not impacted by the spill as the town doesn’t draw its water from the North Thompson River.