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Saturday update: Boil Water Advisory continued for City of Nanaimo

NEWS RELEASE - Distributed December 13, 2014 2:17 PM

Summary

(Distributed at 14:30 p.m. Saturday, December 13) - 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 now near 1 NTU. Results from bacteriological tests taken throughout the system on Friday morning have come back clear. After consultation with the Medical Health Officer, the City will reassess turbidity within the system on Sunday morning. Should turbidity remain low, it is anticipated that the boil advisory may be cancelled Sunday morning.

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. When the advisory is cancelled, subscribers to the Call Alert system will be notified.

Alternatively, members of the public wishing to speak to City staff may call the Public Works Information Line at 250-758-5222.

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

Key Points

  • Bacteriological samples taken Friday morning have returned all clear. Turbidity readings within the City's drinking water supply system are approaching acceptable levels.
  • Turbidity readings within the City's drinking water supply system are approaching acceptable levels.
  • Users of the City's water system are advised to boil their water for one minute and let it cool before drinking.
  • 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
250-758-5222
Philip Cooper
Communication Manager
City of Nanaimo
250-755-4532

Print News Release

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