Image Credit: ADOBE STOCK
January 15, 2019 - 2:00 PM
VERNON - As a boil water advisory notice stretches into its second straight month, Greater Vernon Water is hoping the bacteria will clear out before the end of January while they also prepare a long-term solution.
Vernon Water issued a boil water notice for dozens of customers on Commonage Crescent, Allan Brooks Way, and Mission Road (which includes the long-term care facility Noric House) on Nov. 23, 2018, after they discovered a strong presence of bacteria. The notice has remained in effect for two months, requiring residents to boil their drinking water or find alternative hydration sources.
According to water quality manager Renee Clark, Vernon Water disinfected the reservoir and has been monitoring the area through a battery of constant bacteria tests.
"We're working on mitigating the problem," she said. "We know where to look."
Clark said Vernon Water needs three consecutive bacteria-clear tests before they can rescind the boil water tests. She said they've already had sporadic positive tests.
"We're hoping in the next two weeks we can take it off," she said.
Water pipe problems are nothing new for Vernon thanks to aging infrastructure.
Clark said once the bacteria is cleared out in the area, Vernon Water will get started on a long-term answer to the water problem.
She said a capital project is in the works to improve how piping feeds water into the area. While the project is in its early stages, Clark said it's a top priority.
"It's been on the books for a year," she said. "It'll be a long-term solution."
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