Untreated water forces review
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Procedures are being investigated after untreated water made its way into some Greater Vernon homes.
Chlorine disinfection for Duteau Creek was disrupted Saturday during a cylinder change at 3:15 a.m. Chlorine was restored by a staff member at 4:30 a.m., but the incident was not reported to North Okanagan Regional District officials until Monday.
“We will closely examine what happened from a mechanical and operational point of view,” said Al Cotsworth, utility manager.
“We will determine if any changes are needed and if additional training is required.”
It’s believed that some homes in Lavington would have received untreated water, but it was too late to issue a boil water advisory when Cotsworth became aware of the situation Monday.
“The water wasn’t in the system any more and the water that was in the system by that time was well chlorinated,” he said.
It was decided to issue a notice to customers and to remind them that an ongoing water quality advisory remains in place for the Duteau source.
“We want to keep communications up with the public,” said Cotsworth.
Under a water quality advisory, children, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems should boil their water for drinking, washing fruits and vegetables, making beverages or ice and brushing teeth.
The equipment that failed Saturday will be replaced when the new Duteau Creek treatment plant opens in the summer of 2010.
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