Showing posts with label Water quality notices. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Water quality notices. Show all posts
Saturday, May 06, 2017
Saturday, September 19, 2015
Kelowna mayor is about to take on irrigation districts on water quality
September 18, 2015 - 9:00 PM By John McDonald InfoTel.ca
CENTRAL OKANAGAN - Kelowna Mayor Colin Basran is bent on solving one of the city's greatest and longest problems — drinking water — and seems prepared to go to war with local irrigation districts to make it happen. Basran and the city announced this week the current plan to standardize water delivery across the city just isn't good enough and isn't working fast enough. “This was borne out of frustration with the lack of progress," Basran says. "We are a world-class city but a large portion of our residents do not have safe drinking water.” According to Basran, 35 per cent of Kelowna residents receive water that does not always meet Canadian Drinking Water Guidelines and some of them have been under frequent or near constant water quality advisories for many years. Kelowna’s water supply comes from 21 private and public water utilities, including the four big irrigation districts and the largest provider, the City of Kelowa water utility. The irrigation districts — Black Mountain, Glenmore-Ellison, South East Kelowna and Rutland Water Works — ostensibly work with the city through the Kelowna Joint Water Committee. However, each irrigation district has its own water source, tax base and delivery infrastructure as well as administration and board of directors. Each district also has its own distinct problems with supply and quality control, with some doing better than others providing domestic potable water. The committee has developed the integrated water supply plan, Basran says, but the city wants to tear it up and start over. “The plan says how we are supposed to move forward to integration, which is going to cost $360 million. But integration is the last step in the plan. We believe if integration is done sooner it could potentially save almost half of that amount." Basran says the irrigation districts get their backs up whenever system integration is discussed, but the province has mandated an independent review of the water supply plan to see if it’s the best way forward. “We get pushback from the irrigation districts. They would like to see integration as the last step. We are saying it will cost more and take longer. We only care about good clean drinking water for all residents at that’s the bottom line.” While there are another 16 small water utilites within the city, Basran says they are the lower priority, as they can be integrated more easily as the water system develops. “It’s really the big five that we are concerned about." Basran said water plan review will begin as soon as the water committee members can arrive at mutally agreeable terms of reference. The mayor also says council won’t back down and expect to see significant progress on an integrated water supply before the end of their term in 2018. “Drinking water quality was one of the top priority’s for investment and improvement in the 2015 citizen survey. Safe clean drinking water for all residents is the right thing to do and if I have to expend some political capital on this, then so be it."
CENTRAL OKANAGAN - Kelowna Mayor Colin Basran is bent on solving one of the city's greatest and longest problems — drinking water — and seems prepared to go to war with local irrigation districts to make it happen. Basran and the city announced this week the current plan to standardize water delivery across the city just isn't good enough and isn't working fast enough. “This was borne out of frustration with the lack of progress," Basran says. "We are a world-class city but a large portion of our residents do not have safe drinking water.” According to Basran, 35 per cent of Kelowna residents receive water that does not always meet Canadian Drinking Water Guidelines and some of them have been under frequent or near constant water quality advisories for many years. Kelowna’s water supply comes from 21 private and public water utilities, including the four big irrigation districts and the largest provider, the City of Kelowa water utility. The irrigation districts — Black Mountain, Glenmore-Ellison, South East Kelowna and Rutland Water Works — ostensibly work with the city through the Kelowna Joint Water Committee. However, each irrigation district has its own water source, tax base and delivery infrastructure as well as administration and board of directors. Each district also has its own distinct problems with supply and quality control, with some doing better than others providing domestic potable water. The committee has developed the integrated water supply plan, Basran says, but the city wants to tear it up and start over. “The plan says how we are supposed to move forward to integration, which is going to cost $360 million. But integration is the last step in the plan. We believe if integration is done sooner it could potentially save almost half of that amount." Basran says the irrigation districts get their backs up whenever system integration is discussed, but the province has mandated an independent review of the water supply plan to see if it’s the best way forward. “We get pushback from the irrigation districts. They would like to see integration as the last step. We are saying it will cost more and take longer. We only care about good clean drinking water for all residents at that’s the bottom line.” While there are another 16 small water utilites within the city, Basran says they are the lower priority, as they can be integrated more easily as the water system develops. “It’s really the big five that we are concerned about." Basran said water plan review will begin as soon as the water committee members can arrive at mutally agreeable terms of reference. The mayor also says council won’t back down and expect to see significant progress on an integrated water supply before the end of their term in 2018. “Drinking water quality was one of the top priority’s for investment and improvement in the 2015 citizen survey. Safe clean drinking water for all residents is the right thing to do and if I have to expend some political capital on this, then so be it."
Friday, August 07, 2015
Marina gains nod
by Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star posted Aug 7, 2015 at 1:00 AM
Coldstream politicians are supporting a proposed marina on Kalamalka Lake but with some reservations. Council will tell the provincial government it doesn’t object to an application from Oyama’s Tween Lakes Resort for a 66-slip dock on as long as it meets the resort’s own needs. However, it will also indicate that it doesn’t want increased slips accommodating more boats on Kalamalka and Wood lakes. “We have concerns about increased motorized boat traffic on Kal Lake,” said Coun. Doug Dirk during a committee of the whole Tuesday. A representative from Tween Lakes Resort insists the proposed marina is part of replacing aging docks. “The amount of boat traffic is quite a bit lower,” said Ed Thiessen, dock committee chairperson, adding the slips will only be used when resort owners are there. “The new dock won’t affect how many boats come from Tween Lakes. We just want an opportunity to store our boats safely.” Beyond the proposed 66 dock slips, Tween Lakes has existing slips along the canal. Kalamalka Lake is a water source for Lake Country and Greater Vernon, but Thiessen says Tween Lake’s project won’t impact water quality. “We care about what happens to the lake,” he said. “There are hundreds of boats that go through that canal that have nothing to do with us.” Considerable debate occurred among council before motions were considered. “There’s a little confusion as to whether we are seeing an expansion (of slips) or not?” said Coun. Richard Enns. There were also questions about the lake’s capacity for motorized boats given other recreational users are also on the lake. “There are paddleboards, canoes and kayaks,” said Coun. Gyula Kiss. Councillors Glen Taylor and Pat Cochrane favoured the dock application. “Tween Lakes is an existing development and I take them at their word that they’re not adding boats but trying to be more efficient,” said Cochrane. “It’s not saying there’s more boats. It’s accommodating and fixing what they have,” added Taylor. Council will also suggest to the provincial government that if Tween Lakes’ application is approved, that there be a response kit for fuel spills, no renting of slips to non-owners and no winter moorage.
Coldstream politicians are supporting a proposed marina on Kalamalka Lake but with some reservations. Council will tell the provincial government it doesn’t object to an application from Oyama’s Tween Lakes Resort for a 66-slip dock on as long as it meets the resort’s own needs. However, it will also indicate that it doesn’t want increased slips accommodating more boats on Kalamalka and Wood lakes. “We have concerns about increased motorized boat traffic on Kal Lake,” said Coun. Doug Dirk during a committee of the whole Tuesday. A representative from Tween Lakes Resort insists the proposed marina is part of replacing aging docks. “The amount of boat traffic is quite a bit lower,” said Ed Thiessen, dock committee chairperson, adding the slips will only be used when resort owners are there. “The new dock won’t affect how many boats come from Tween Lakes. We just want an opportunity to store our boats safely.” Beyond the proposed 66 dock slips, Tween Lakes has existing slips along the canal. Kalamalka Lake is a water source for Lake Country and Greater Vernon, but Thiessen says Tween Lake’s project won’t impact water quality. “We care about what happens to the lake,” he said. “There are hundreds of boats that go through that canal that have nothing to do with us.” Considerable debate occurred among council before motions were considered. “There’s a little confusion as to whether we are seeing an expansion (of slips) or not?” said Coun. Richard Enns. There were also questions about the lake’s capacity for motorized boats given other recreational users are also on the lake. “There are paddleboards, canoes and kayaks,” said Coun. Gyula Kiss. Councillors Glen Taylor and Pat Cochrane favoured the dock application. “Tween Lakes is an existing development and I take them at their word that they’re not adding boats but trying to be more efficient,” said Cochrane. “It’s not saying there’s more boats. It’s accommodating and fixing what they have,” added Taylor. Council will also suggest to the provincial government that if Tween Lakes’ application is approved, that there be a response kit for fuel spills, no renting of slips to non-owners and no winter moorage.
Monday, June 29, 2015
Drinking Water and Health - presentation by Interior Health
http://www.rdno.ca/index.php/documents/publications
Drinking Water and Health - presentation by Interior Health (7 page)
Released from In Camera at the June 17, 2015 BoD Meeting
Drinking Water and Health - presentation by Interior Health (7 page)
Released from In Camera at the June 17, 2015 BoD Meeting
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| June 2014 |
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| June 2014 |
Friday, May 15, 2015
Mud bogging, hill climbs jeopardize North Okanagan water security
By Charlotte Helston INFO-TEL Multimedia May 15, 2015 - 4:34 PM
VERNON - Efforts are being stepped up to educate and enforce when it comes to the rules of the road in and around Vernon’s drinking water reservoirs. An increasing number of off-road vehicles in areas like the Aberdeen plateau are causing concerns for water quality, and security, says regional district Water Quality Manager Renee Clark. “We have a lot of vehicles mud bogging and trying to do hill climbs up the backsides of dams,” she says. “The consequences if the dam blows are high, it could destroy environment, or property downstream. And as a water source, we rely on it heavily. To lose it would be horrific.” When off road vehicles drive on the dams, it degrades them, Clark says. Ruts left behind in the dirt can fill with water and create tunnels in the dam. There have also been issues with people shooting holes into utility infrastructure and signage in the area. Clark says there have been more off road vehicle issues around the Grizzly, Aberdeen, Haddo, and King Edward dams since they were kicked off another popular site, Postill Lake. “The Ministry has closed it down so now people are moving to wherever they can congregate,” Clark says.
New regulations for off road vehicles went into effect April 15 and mean those caught damaging Crown land can now face up to $100,000 in fines, a year in jail, or both. Clark says the new legislation means natural resource officers can enforce laws around vandalism on dams and utilities. A new tip line, 1-844-676-8477 also allows members of the public to report activity when if they see it happening. “People, if they’re as concerned as we are, they have the ability to report it,” Clark says. Because the dams are on Crown land, multi-use activity is allowed, and Clark says most people are respectful of the environment and water supply. She also suspects many people might not be aware the lakes are a major water source for the region. Another frequent problem posing concerns for water quality is when campers dig their own toilets, Clark says. There are some designated forestry sites with outhouses which contain the waste in cement and are pumped out, but many sites do not have such facilities. “We are finding a lot of toilet paper and people digging their own toilets around the reservoir,” Clark says. The water utility has been working with natural resource officers, and Clark says there will be a definite presence this summer, especially on long weekends. “Something we are really striving towards is getting people more informed about those drinking water reservoirs,” she says.
New regulations for off road vehicles went into effect April 15 and mean those caught damaging Crown land can now face up to $100,000 in fines, a year in jail, or both. Clark says the new legislation means natural resource officers can enforce laws around vandalism on dams and utilities. A new tip line, 1-844-676-8477 also allows members of the public to report activity when if they see it happening. “People, if they’re as concerned as we are, they have the ability to report it,” Clark says. Because the dams are on Crown land, multi-use activity is allowed, and Clark says most people are respectful of the environment and water supply. She also suspects many people might not be aware the lakes are a major water source for the region. Another frequent problem posing concerns for water quality is when campers dig their own toilets, Clark says. There are some designated forestry sites with outhouses which contain the waste in cement and are pumped out, but many sites do not have such facilities. “We are finding a lot of toilet paper and people digging their own toilets around the reservoir,” Clark says. The water utility has been working with natural resource officers, and Clark says there will be a definite presence this summer, especially on long weekends. “Something we are really striving towards is getting people more informed about those drinking water reservoirs,” she says.
Monday, May 11, 2015
Dual System Protects Water Quality
Posted on 5/11/2015 by Pete McIntyre 107.5 KISSFM
Local politicians have approved new policy to ensure water quality for Greater Vernon residents that will likely mean far fewer public notices. Greater Vernon Water staff say boil water notices or advisories should no longer be needed, unless there's a major incident. Greater Vernon Advisory Committee director Bob Fleming says the ability to switch customers between the Duteau Creek and Kalamalka Lake sources, is the reason. "That's relatively recent, in the last three or four years I believe, so we have that now and it gives us a lot of flexibility in the system and I think it protects the customer." Water quality manager Renee Clark says issuing public water notices, either a boil notice (BWN) or water quality advisory (WQA), is very labour intensive. "And if water quality notification occurs outside of regular work hours, staff are paid overtime. Switching sources is a fairly straight forward process from an operational perspective that does not consume a lot of operations time but does need to be orchestrated among the three operation groups (Vernon, Coldstream, RDNO)," says Clark in a report. Clark concludes by saying from both a customer and operator's perspective, "it is much more efficient to change the source water than issue a WQA or BWN." Since 2010, customers on the Kal Lake source have been switched to Duteau Creek water eight times due to high turbidity, while over that same period, Duteau Creek was switched off once.
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Don Quixote Note:
This was a screenshot of old system 2 hours and 18 minutes after last switch on March 28.
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http://www.rdno.ca/docs/March_2015_GVW_Monthly_Report.pdf
Water Quality Report for March has Turbidity levels shown for March leading up to switch from Mission Hill water source to Duteau Creek water source.
Local politicians have approved new policy to ensure water quality for Greater Vernon residents that will likely mean far fewer public notices. Greater Vernon Water staff say boil water notices or advisories should no longer be needed, unless there's a major incident. Greater Vernon Advisory Committee director Bob Fleming says the ability to switch customers between the Duteau Creek and Kalamalka Lake sources, is the reason. "That's relatively recent, in the last three or four years I believe, so we have that now and it gives us a lot of flexibility in the system and I think it protects the customer." Water quality manager Renee Clark says issuing public water notices, either a boil notice (BWN) or water quality advisory (WQA), is very labour intensive. "And if water quality notification occurs outside of regular work hours, staff are paid overtime. Switching sources is a fairly straight forward process from an operational perspective that does not consume a lot of operations time but does need to be orchestrated among the three operation groups (Vernon, Coldstream, RDNO)," says Clark in a report. Clark concludes by saying from both a customer and operator's perspective, "it is much more efficient to change the source water than issue a WQA or BWN." Since 2010, customers on the Kal Lake source have been switched to Duteau Creek water eight times due to high turbidity, while over that same period, Duteau Creek was switched off once.
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Don Quixote Note:
This was a screenshot of old system 2 hours and 18 minutes after last switch on March 28.
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| Screen Shot Sat. March 28 at 1:18PM |
http://www.rdno.ca/docs/March_2015_GVW_Monthly_Report.pdf
Water Quality Report for March has Turbidity levels shown for March leading up to switch from Mission Hill water source to Duteau Creek water source.
Sunday, May 10, 2015
Boil water notices cast aside
by Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star posted May 10, 2015 at 1:00 AM
Greater Vernon residents will likely hear about fewer boil water advisories. The Greater Vernon Advisory Committee is moving towards switching water sources if there are turbidity concerns instead of issuing boil water notices or water quality advisories. “The fact that we have two systems that, outside of peak demand in the summer, gives us the ability to avoid boil water notices,” said director Bob Fleming. “It gives us flexibility in the system and protects customers.” The two sources that can be utilized depending on the water quality in the other are Kalamalka Lake and Duteau Creek. Director Jim Garlick says conditions on Kalamalka Lake have changed in 50 years. “It’s getting shallower and shallower. It’s not the lake it used to be,” he said. “There are benefits to having some variety.” Staff insist that switching water sources is a more efficient process than issuing boil advisories. “Public notifications are very labour intensive and actions required during an event include staff notifying 800-plus customers on the sensitive customer list, operations staff setting out sign boards in impacted areas and water quality staff conducting increased sampling,” said Renee Clark, water quality manager, in a report. Staff must also develop media releases and respond to customers calls related to the event. Even with all of that work, not everyone knows about the advisories. “Many customers have indicated to Greater Vernon Water that they do no listen to the radio, watch TV, have the Internet, read the paper, go outside or understand that a notice may apply to them,” said Clark. “In addition, the Kalamalka supply is more vulnerable as it supports most care facilities, the hospital, many schools and a large, elderly population.” Clark added that a boil advisory can also have economic implications for restaurants and hotels. Support for switching water sources instead of issuing boil advisories comes from director Mike Macnabb. “Staff are doing a great job and Interior Health Authority criteria are being met,” said Macnabb. “What we have is a robust system to meet the health of the people on our system.”
Greater Vernon residents will likely hear about fewer boil water advisories. The Greater Vernon Advisory Committee is moving towards switching water sources if there are turbidity concerns instead of issuing boil water notices or water quality advisories. “The fact that we have two systems that, outside of peak demand in the summer, gives us the ability to avoid boil water notices,” said director Bob Fleming. “It gives us flexibility in the system and protects customers.” The two sources that can be utilized depending on the water quality in the other are Kalamalka Lake and Duteau Creek. Director Jim Garlick says conditions on Kalamalka Lake have changed in 50 years. “It’s getting shallower and shallower. It’s not the lake it used to be,” he said. “There are benefits to having some variety.” Staff insist that switching water sources is a more efficient process than issuing boil advisories. “Public notifications are very labour intensive and actions required during an event include staff notifying 800-plus customers on the sensitive customer list, operations staff setting out sign boards in impacted areas and water quality staff conducting increased sampling,” said Renee Clark, water quality manager, in a report. Staff must also develop media releases and respond to customers calls related to the event. Even with all of that work, not everyone knows about the advisories. “Many customers have indicated to Greater Vernon Water that they do no listen to the radio, watch TV, have the Internet, read the paper, go outside or understand that a notice may apply to them,” said Clark. “In addition, the Kalamalka supply is more vulnerable as it supports most care facilities, the hospital, many schools and a large, elderly population.” Clark added that a boil advisory can also have economic implications for restaurants and hotels. Support for switching water sources instead of issuing boil advisories comes from director Mike Macnabb. “Staff are doing a great job and Interior Health Authority criteria are being met,” said Macnabb. “What we have is a robust system to meet the health of the people on our system.”
Tuesday, May 05, 2015
GVAC Meeting Thursday at 8 AM Items of interest.
http://www.rdno.ca/agendas/150507_AGN_GVAC_Full.pdf
4. Greater Vernon Water – Protocol for Water Quality Assurance
− Staff report dated April 17, 2015
RECOMMENDATION 6 Page 25 -135
That the staff report titled "Greater Vernon Water - Protocol for Water Quality
Assurance" and dated April 17, 2015 be received for information.
===============
7. Greater Vernon Sub-Regional Parks and Trails – Dogs on Beaches
– Staff report dated April 21, 2015
RECOMMENDATION 9 Page 153
That the information from neighbouring jurisdictions to allow dogs on beaches be
received for information; and further,
That it be recommended to the Board of Directors, the request to amend Greater
Vernon Parks Regulation Bylaw No. 2594, 2013 to allow dogs on public beaches
within the Greater Vernon Sub-Regional Parks and Trails Service be denied.
4. Greater Vernon Water – Protocol for Water Quality Assurance
− Staff report dated April 17, 2015
RECOMMENDATION 6 Page 25 -135
That the staff report titled "Greater Vernon Water - Protocol for Water Quality
Assurance" and dated April 17, 2015 be received for information.
===============
7. Greater Vernon Sub-Regional Parks and Trails – Dogs on Beaches
– Staff report dated April 21, 2015
RECOMMENDATION 9 Page 153
That the information from neighbouring jurisdictions to allow dogs on beaches be
received for information; and further,
That it be recommended to the Board of Directors, the request to amend Greater
Vernon Parks Regulation Bylaw No. 2594, 2013 to allow dogs on public beaches
within the Greater Vernon Sub-Regional Parks and Trails Service be denied.
Tuesday, April 07, 2015
Kal Lake Water Back
Posted on 4/7/2015 by Ron Manz 107.5 KISSFM
Greater Vernon Water has turned the Kalamalka Lake water source back on. It was shutdown and switched to the Duteau Creek system from March 28th until today to avoid a boil water notice for customers. Tests have now shown the water quality is back to safe levels for proper disinfection, though users may find it harder now. "Customers on the Kalamalka Lake supply may notice a change in water quality such as an increase in hardness," says GVW's water quality manager Renee Clark. "This may be of interest to those customers who have in-home water treatment systems or aquariums."
Saturday, March 28, 2015
Notice to Greater Vernon Water Customers
http://www.rdno.ca/index.php/news/announcements/notice-to-greater-vernon-water-customers-150328
Spring run-off forces change in water source for Greater Vernon customers
105.7 SUN FM Posted on 3/28/2015 by Adam Graham
Spring run-off has forced the closure of the water source coming from Kalamalka Lake. The Regional District of the North Okanagan says the run-off has caused an increased turbidity in the water coming from the Mission Hill Treatment Plant, which does not have filtration. Fortunately, the water in the Greater Vernon Service area can be supplied by the Duteau Creek Water Treatment Plant to avoid issuing a Boil Water Notice to customers normally on Kalamalka Lake. However, customers who are not normally on the Duteau Creek Water Treatment Plant water source may notice that the water is softer and the water has a low alkalinity and pH. This may be of interest to those customers who have in-home water treatment systems or aquariums. There's no estimated time as to when the Kalamalka Lake water source could be turned back on.
Posted Saturday, March 28, 2015
Greater Vernon Water (GVW) advises customers that the Kalamalka Lake water source was turned off on Saturday March 28, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. due to turbidity that can reduce the Ultra Violet Disinfection effectiveness at the Mission Hill Treatment Plant.
The Mission Hill Treatment Plant treats water from Kalamalka Lake with Ultra Violet Disinfection but 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 from spring run-off, especially noted in Coldstream Creek and its affect on the intake in Kalamalka Lake. All water in the Greater Vernon service area will be supplied from the Duteau Creek Water Treatment Plant (DCWTP) to avoid issuing a Boil Water Notice to customers normally on Kalamalka Lake.
Customers who are not normally on the DCWTP water source may notice that the water is softer and the water has a low alkalinity and pH. This may be of interest to those customers who have in-home water treatment systems or aquariums.
Staff will continue to monitor water quality and notify customers of any further changes. Customers will be notified via radio, newspaper and the Regional District of North Okanagan website at www.rdno.ca when the Kalamalka Lake water source is turned back on.
For further information, please call 250-550-3700 or visit www.rdno.ca.
More About Turbidity
Turbidity results from the presence of tiny particles of clay, silt, or plankton in the water that scatter a beam of light, and is measured in Nephelometric Turbidity Units (NTU). Typically, a turbidity of less than 5 NTU is not visible to the naked eye.
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| Screen Shot Sat. March 28 at 2:55 PM |
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| Screen Shot Sun. March 29 at 8:55 AM |
More About Turbidity
Turbidity results from the presence of tiny particles of clay, silt, or plankton in the water that scatter a beam of light, and is measured in Nephelometric Turbidity Units (NTU). Typically, a turbidity of less than 5 NTU is not visible to the naked eye.
Greater Vernon Water has worked with IHA to determine customer alerts based on enhanced treatment at both the Duteau Creek and the Mission Hill Treatment Plants. Water Quality Advisories will be generated when turbidity rises above 1.5 NTU (24 hr average) for Duteau Creek WTP and above 3.5 NTU (24 hr average) on the Mission Hill WTP. CheckNotifications to find the turbidity index and alert level for your water source.
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| Screen Shot Sat. March 28 at 1:18PM |
Spring run-off forces change in water source for Greater Vernon customers
105.7 SUN FM Posted on 3/28/2015 by Adam Graham
Spring run-off has forced the closure of the water source coming from Kalamalka Lake. The Regional District of the North Okanagan says the run-off has caused an increased turbidity in the water coming from the Mission Hill Treatment Plant, which does not have filtration. Fortunately, the water in the Greater Vernon Service area can be supplied by the Duteau Creek Water Treatment Plant to avoid issuing a Boil Water Notice to customers normally on Kalamalka Lake. However, customers who are not normally on the Duteau Creek Water Treatment Plant water source may notice that the water is softer and the water has a low alkalinity and pH. This may be of interest to those customers who have in-home water treatment systems or aquariums. There's no estimated time as to when the Kalamalka Lake water source could be turned back on.
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