Image Credit: ADOBE STOCK
June 07, 2017 - 11:48 AM
A report from the Interior Health Authority warns public drinking water advisories are not a good way to keep people safe in the long term.
The report, a result of a study of drinking water over a span of 10 years, has just been released by the Interior Health Authority. The study examined 1,454 small water systems and 133 large water systems in the region from 2006 to 2016 looking at health concerns related to drinking water.
The report says public advisories are helpful, but relying on advisories and notifications to keep people safe isn't enough and could hold significant risks in the long term. Over reliance on advisories stunts planning and investment in water treatment infrastructure, according to Interior Health.
“Nearly half of all the water systems in B.C. are located within Interior Health,” Medical health officer Dr. Trevor Corneil says in a media release. “As such, we take our role as regulator of both small and large systems very seriously.”
Collaboration with water operators and First Nations communities, are both recommendations in the report, which says looking ahead, upgrades to water treatment facilities, improved source protection and response plans can help protect the public.
The report was released alongside an awareness campaign complete with educational videos.
You can check out the full report here.
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News from © iNFOnews, 2017