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.
A water quality advisory is being issued for the Wilderness Mountain area due to elevated concentrations of manganese. This water quality advisory is in addition to the existing boil water advisory for the Wilderness Mountain water service area. According to the Capital Regional District (CRD), manganese is a naturally occurring element that is present throughout the environment and can normally be found in many surface and groundwater sources.
The Eastern Ontario Health Unit says the water meets drinking water standards, but the advisory recommends residents use bottled water or another source of water for preparing baby formula for infants and food or drinks for young people. "I’m not bathing my grandchildren when they come over and I have to have bottled water," Casselman resident Jocelyn Butler-Rohland said on Sunday.
Earlier this month, residents raised concerns about drinking water that is dark, appearing dirty or the colour of apple juice. The discoloured water is because of high levels of manganese – a mineral distributed in air, water and soil – present in the South Nation River, according to the municipality. In an update this week, the municipality said it has issued a water quality advisory for the Municipal Water Distribution System due to manganese levels above the Canadian Drinking Water Quality guidelines, and the advisory will remain in effect for further notice.
The beach at the tip of Kitsilano Point is closed due to repeat E. coli samples above the recommended level. Vancouver Coastal Health issued an advisory on Canada Day, noting multiple E. coli counts of 591 per 100 millilitres, well above the advised limit of 400 per 100 mL. The health authority says there is an increased risk of illness to swimmers when E. coli levels exceed guidance. The public is advised not to swim or wade in the water until the advisory ends, especially seniors, infants and kids, and people with weakened immune systems who are most susceptible.
Some Westside Road residents will have to cut back on their watering. Stage 2 outdoor water restrictions are in place for Star Place, Falcon Ridge, Killiney Beach, Sunset Ranch, Upper Fintry / Shalal Road / Valley of the Sun and Westshore water systems. Restrictions are in effect Friday, June 16 and expected to remain in place until Sept. 15, 2023. The restrictions limit outdoor watering to two days a week. Outdoor watering is permitted on Saturdays and Tuesdays for even numbered addresses, and Sundays and Wednesdays for odd numbered addresses.
The District of Invermere has issued a second water quality advisory in the space of less than a week. Once again, a broken water main is to blame. The new advisory was issued late yesterday (Tuesday, June 6) and applies to Upper and Lower Lakeview Lane. All residents on those streets should boil water for at least one full minute if they plan to use it for drinking, making ice, cooking, washing food or brushing their teeth.
A water quality advisory has been issued for residents on the Falcon Ridge water system off Highway 33. An email statement from the Regional District of Central Okanagan (RDCO) states that increased turbidity in the Mission Creek water source from the annual snowpack melt has resulted in water quality that might impact children, the elderly, or those with weakened immune systems.
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.
A water quality advisory has been extended for the lower zone of the Okanagan Falls water system. Announced earlier this week, the Regional District for Okanagan Similkameen (RDOS) says the advisory for manganese will remain in place until further notice. The regional district says it “recognizes that residents in the lower zone are continuing to encounter poor water quality and the RDOS is working on making changes to the water system with the anticipation of long-term improvements to the water quality.”
The Cariboo Regional District has issued a water quality advisory, to the Horse Lake water users as a result of levels of manganese (Mn) in its drinking water supply. The quality of the drinking water has not changed, but the move is due to changed Canadian guidelines for drinking water. Health Canada established a new maximum acceptable concentration for manganese in drinking water of 0.12 mg/L. Historical water test results show that the wells in Horse lake have produced between 0.14 to 0.29 mg/L of manganese. These manganese levels vary per well and what time of year the tests were taken.
B.C.'s Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy is announcing new rules for farmers, intended to protect water sources and "provide more clarity for the agricultural sector." According to the ministry, the rules will protect groundwater with proper manure and nutrient storage, ban direct discharges, allow increased monitoring in high-risk areas, and require record keeping.
