Kalamlka Lake water source turned back on

by Staff Writer - Vernon Morning Star posted Mar 9, 2015 at 2:00 PM
Greater Vernon Water is informing its customers that the Kalamalka Lake water source has been turned back on as of Monday. Testing has shown that the water quality has returned to safe parameters. “Customers on the Kalamalka Lake supply may notice a change in water quality such as an increase in hardness,” said GVW in a press release. “This may be of interest to those customers who have in-home water treatment systems or aquariums.” The Mission Hill Treatment Plant disinfects water from Kalamalka Lake and does not have filtration. Therefore, the water quality can be vulnerable to changes occurring in and around the lake. The decision to turn off the Kalamalka Lake water source was based on increased turbidity due to spring run-off and milfoil removal at the north end of Kalamalka Lake. “Milfoil removal has been completed and turbidity has decreased to normal conditions; therefore, operations can return to normal,” said GVW. The Okanagan Basin Water Board (OBWB) would like to extend their appreciation to GVW for their cooperation in assisting with the OBWB’s annual milfoil removal by turning off the Kalamalka Lake water source. “Without the great management and cooperation from Greater Vernon Water, we wouldn’t have been able to remove milfoil this winter, and the beaches around Kalamalka Lake would have been unpleasant for recreational use this summer,” said James Littley, OBWB’s office and projects manager. “That’s the benefit of GVW having two water sources and a good management plan.” All water in the Greater Vernon service area was supplied from the Duteau Creek Water Treatment Plant for the last three weeks in order to avoid issuing a boil water notice to customers normally receiving water from Kalamalka Lake.

For further information, please call 250-550-3700 or visit www.rdno.ca.