UPDATE WEDNESAY, MAY 17, 4:35 p.m.:
Mabel Lake Water Utility customers are now on a boil water notice (BWN), issued by the Regional District of North Okanagan (RDNO) and Interior Health Wednesday, May 17.
The BWN is in effect until the lake turbidity returns to a level that meets drinking water standards and sampling results confirm that the drinking water is safe.
The notice replaces a water quality advisory for the utility because water turbidity levels leaving the water treatment process have now exceeded 5.0 NTU.
All customers should boil their water for at least one minute when preparing any food, drinking, washing fruits & vegetables, making beverages or ice or when brushing teeth.
Outdoor Water Restrictions
Additionally, normal summer outdoor water restrictions are now in effect. These water restrictions allow MLW customers to water outdoors with sprinklers according to a schedule that is based on their street address.
To avoid the need for added restrictions, the community must adhere to following the schedule and being wise with their water use. Customers are encouraged to consider ways to irrigate as efficiently as possible. Over-drawing on the system can affect the safety of drinking water, and if the demand for water is consistently high, we may have to prohibit all outdoor water use.
Even under water restrictions, residents may water, any time, by hand with a watering can or hose with a spring-loaded shut-off nozzle. Drip irrigation is also allowed any time as evaporation is minimal when the water is applied directly at the plant roots. For more information, visit rdno.ca/restrictions.
ORIGINAL STORY
Customers on the Mabel Lake Water utility (MLW) are now on a precautionary water advisory.
The Regional District of North Okanagan (RDNO) made the call in conjunction with Interior Health after the spring snow melt increased the presence of particles like clay and silt (turbidity) in the water that enters the water treatment process.
That process does not have the capacity to treat this water to meet drinking standards.
The water turbidity levels leaving the treatment process have exceeded 1.0 NTU (Nephelometric Turbidity Unit), and all customers who receive water from MLW are on the advisory.
The WQA is in effect until the lake turbidity returns to a level that meets drinking water standards and sampling results confirm that the drinking water is safe.
Until the WQA is rescinded, young children, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems should exercise caution and all customers may choose to boil their water for at least one minute when using for the following purposes:
• drinking;
• brushing teeth;
• washing fruits and vegetables to be eaten raw;
• making beverages or ice.
Customers will be notified of any updates at www.rdno.ca/news (filter by Water Notices) and the RDNO’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/RDNorthOkanagan. You can also subscribe to receive email updates at www.rdno.ca/subscribe.
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roger@vernonmorningstar.com
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