The City of West Kelowna has provided an interactive map for users of water systems that are currently under Water Quality Advisories, helping to simplify identification of properties within advisory areas.
Currently, approximately 2,150 water customers in West Kelowna are under Water Quality Advisory.
The West Kelowna Estates (1,000 connections), Sunnyside (1,000 connections) and Pritchard (150 connections) Water Systems, which pull water from Okanagan Lake, are experiencing increased turbidity due to spring runoff and flooding activity.
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 www.healthlinkbc.ca for more information about preventing water-bourne infections.
Free water is available for West Kelowna, Westbank First Nation and Peachland residents, at the City of West Kelowna’s bulk water station at Shannon Lake and Asquith Roads.
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.