Kristen Villebrun and Wendy Bush hoped they wouldn't have to pray for Chedoke Creek, but four years after they first raised alarm about the water's condition, they were part of an Indigenous full moon ceremony to do just that. About 50 people showed up near Princess Point on the dark and frigid Monday evening for the monthly ceremony, which was particularly special as it focused on Chedoke Creek. The body of water that runs into Cootes Paradise had about 24 billion litres of sewage and storm water runoff leak into it due to a gate being left open.
The Regional District of North Okanagan (RDNO) announced late Friday night that the Kalamalka Lake water source has been turned off effective immediately due to increased turbidity. Customers of Greater Vernon Water (GVW) will be affected by this. The RDNO said the decision to remove the Kalamalka Lake water source was based on increased turbidity at the drinking water system intake.
A water quality advisory has been issued for Nelson during spring run-off conditions. The City of Nelson said in a statement Wednesday that increased levels of turbidity or suspended matter have been found in the drinking water supply. The water can still be consumed, but Interior Health recommends residents with compromised immune systems take precautions when drinking it, washing fruits and vegetables or brushing their teeth.
The Regional District of North Okanagan (RDNO) is alerting customers of Greater Vernon Water (GVW) that the Kalamalka Lake water source has been turned off effective today, Wednesday, May 11. The decision was based on increased turbidity due to rain and spring run-off in the Coldstream Creek watershed. Water will be supplied from the Duteau Creek Water Treatment Plant until turbidity decreases in Kalamalka Lake. Customers who are not normally on the Duteau Creek water source will notice the water is much softer and has a low alkalinity and pH. This may be of interest to those customers who have in-home water treatment systems or aquariums.
