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Boil Water Advisory continued for City of Nanaimo

NEWS RELEASE - Distributed November 18, 2015 3:13 PM

Summary

Residents of Nanaimo are notified that the Boil Water Advisory for users of the City's drinking water system issued Tuesday November 17 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.

Turbid water entered the system early in the morning of November 18, as expected. It is expected to take a few days to work its way through the system. The City will continue to monitor levels throughout the system, and will advise the public as soon as we can lift the 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.

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

Key Points

  • 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 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 9 NTU this morning.
  • The City’s Waterworks Operating Permit requires the City to notify the Drinking Water Officer when turbidity exceeds 1 NTU.
  • The turbidity event was a result of an intense rainfall and rapidly melting snow, resulting in a flash flood within the City's watershed. This scours creek beds and moves sediment into the water supply system.
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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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