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Boil Water Advisory continued for City of Nanaimo

Officials conducting tests to ensure water is safe

NEWS RELEASE - Distributed December 12, 2014 10:45 AM

Summary

(Distributed at 10:45 a.m. Friday, December 12) - Residents of Nanaimo are notified that the Boil Water Advisory for users of the City's drinking water system issued Thursday December 11 remains in effect. As a precaution, water users should boil their drinking water for one minute at a rolling boil. The public will be informed as soon as the turbidity issues are resolved and the advisory is lifted.

The source of the City's water has cleared up since the rains stopped on Thursday evening. Turbidity within the water system is also diminishing, with most values less than 3 NTU. As of Friday morning, City Operations staff are sampling several sites around the City for bacteria. The samples will be flown to a lab, and results should be known late afternoon Saturday, December 13. This is the earliest possible time that the City may be able to lift the boil advisory.

For more information, please refer to the City of Nanaimo’s web page (www.nanaimo.ca), listen to the Wave radio at 102.3 FM or follow the City's Twitter account. Alternatively, members of the public wishing to speak to City staff should call the Public Works Information Line at 250-758-5222.

Link to Strategic Plan: Taking responsibility to be an excellent municipal government.

Key Points

  • City staff are sampling throughout the water system for bacteria. Results from these tests will be known late Saturday afternoon.
  • Users of the City's water system are advised to boil their water for one minute and let it cool before drinking.
  • Turbidity readings are also elevated within the City's drinking water supply system. Residents may notice tap water is discoloured.
  • Water Supply Operations have ensured that its disinfection equipment is effectively disinfecting water throughout the system.

Quotes

"The City appreciates Nanaimo's patience and understanding as we continue with the boil water advisory. It is through an abundance of caution and concern for our citizens' health that we are taking this measure."

Bill Sims
Manager, Water Resources
City of Nanaimo

Quick Facts

  • To assist residents in receiving notice of when the advisory is lifted, the City will activate its Emergency Call Alert System - a notification service that sends telephone information to self-registered residents.
  • Turbidity is measured continuously at South Fork Dam, and as the water enters the system. Entering the system, turbidity climbed from less than 1 NTU at midnight, to about 5 NTU this morning.
  • The City’s Waterworks Operating Permit requires the City to notify the Drinking Water Officer when turbidity averages 5 NTU for 12 hours. This threshold has not been met.
  • As a result of this week's storm, a total of 87 mm of rain has fallen in Nanaimo over the last two days. This is considered a two-year return period storm.
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Contact:

Bill Sims
Manager, Water Resources
City of Nanaimo
250-756-5302
Philip Cooper
Communication Manager
City of Nanaimo
250-755-4532

Print News Release

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