One person believes nitrate levels in a Spallumcheen water source are getting worse.
Al Price is a spokesperson for the Save Hullcar Aquifer Team, which has been pressuring government to fix Hullcar aquifer 103, which services the Steele Springs Water District and more than 200 users.
The water source has been under a water quality advisory for more than two years due to high nitrate levels.
Price said two wells were tested by the Ministry of Environment on a property within the water district in September, one well at a depth of 85 feet, the other at 140 feet.
Price said the readings indicated nitrate levels at 16 Parts Per Million (ppm).
A level of 10 ppm is considered unsafe.
He added that Steele Springs Water District chairperson Brian Upper tested water at Deep Creek in August, about one kilometre from the Steele Springs overflow feeds into the creek. Upper’s test indicated levels at 7.5 ppm.
Price said, to him, the numbers show the nitrate contamination is getting worse.
“The deeper wells have doubled their nitrate levels in a short time,” said Price.
“Indicating that excessive irrigation this summer from the deeper aquifer could be drawing water down from the unconfined aquifer above is a real concern.”
The ministry is interested in holding a second public meeting to update residents on the situation in November.