Boil water on Westside

The Regional District of Central Okanagan has issued a boil-water notice for treated water pumped into Okanagan Lake from the Westside Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant through a temporary pumping bypass installed last week.

The additional pump was installed because higher-than-normal lake levels caused a decreased flow of treated effluent from the plant.

The B.C. Environment Ministry and Interior Health were consulted about the temporary pump, but further discussions with IH prompted a boil-water notice.

Residents between 2523 and 2589 Whitworth Road are not connected to a municipal water supply and may draw water from Okanagan Lake, said Bruce Smith, spokesperson for the district.

“As a result, a boil-water notice is in place for anyone drawing drinking water from Okanagan Lake within 300 metres of the additional temporary waste-water treatment plant bypass discharge located just off the Pebble Beach Park shoreline,” he said.

Affected residents are advised to boil any water used for drinking, cooking, washing produce, making beverages and ice, or for brushing teeth, for at least one minute.

The regional district is providing bottled water for affected residents.

Swimming is not recommended within 150 metres of the temporary park discharge for treated effluent.