Boil water notice extended for North Okanagan residents

CHBC/ Global News : Saturday, September 10, 2011 12:00 AM

A boil water notice that has already caused much grief for North Okanagan residents has been extended until at least Monday.  The notice was issued last Friday after officials found increased bacteria levels in Kalamalka Lake.  The increase may be due to the lake’s natural color-changing process. About 25,000 Vernon and Coldstream residents on the Kalamalka Lake source will have to continue drinking boiled or bottled water.  Three tests conducted this week have so far showed no problems. No health issues have been reported. RDNO Engineering General Manager Arnold Badke says this is the first time this type of issue has developed at the lake source since 1996.  The Regional District is upping the chlorine levels in the water and flushing out water pipes through out the system Monday. “We've sampled from the exit of that plant, and everything is looking good there. So what we're looking at is the ends of the system, that's where we're seeing some problems,” said water quality manager Renee Clark with RDNO. “So that's where we're doing some flushing at those sites. It seems like we're moving it out to the ends of the system and seeing some improvements.”  Residents will be told of any change in the boil water notice after officials discuss test results with Interior Health that regulates water quality in the region.  Until then, Vernon residents on the Kalamalka Lake water supply should continue to boil tap water for one minute. The Duteau Creek water source is not affected.