West Kelowna’s water quality advisory remains in place

The water quality advisory for West Kelowna continues for the Lakeview Water System.

The advisory is affecting about 4,000 home connections, which is approximately 11,000 customers. Affected homes are in the neighbourhoods of Lakeview Heights, Rose Valley, Boucherie Centre, Shannon Woods, Tallus Ridge and Shannon Lake.

People living in Westbank, West Kelowna Estates, Pritchard and Sunnyside Water Systems are not affected by the advisory.

The advisory was put into place Aug. 4, when routine testing of the water indicated a turbidity level of 1.3 NTU. Although this week’s testing shows a downward trend, the city is advising the public the advisory continues.

Kirsten Jones, Communications Supervisor with the City of West Kelowna said algae growth in Rose Valley Reservoir is greater than normal this year. This is contributing to the higher turbidity levels. NTU levels have not been this high in the Lakeview System since 2008.

According to the City of Kelowna, A number less than one NTU does not require any water restrictions. If the number is between one and five NTU it is recommended that children, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems should boil water before using it. Animals should also drink safe water during an advisory. This is what the West Kelowna advisory is right now.

A number more than five results in a boil water advisory. This means all users should bring the water to a boil.

When turbidity increases, bacteria, viruses and microorganisms can attach themselves to particles in the water. These particles can then interfere with disinfection by shielding the organisms from the chlorine.