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KELOWNA - City of Kelowna water utility customers remain on a Water Quality Advisory.

The Advisory was originally issued on Friday afternoon, May 12, after elevated turbidity levels were noted at City water intakes.

The Advisory will remain in effect until further notice.

Kelowna residents are served by one of five water providers throughout the city. To find out which one they are on, residents can enter in their address using the find your water provider tool at kelowna.ca/water.

To ensure that the public is fully aware of the status and risk associated with this type of notification, we have provided a list of alert levels to reference:

Types of Alerts

Water Quality Advisory                
Used in situations in which the public health threat posed by the water supply system is modest, and actions can be taken to reduce the risks through means other than requiring a Boil Water Notice or Do Not Use Water Notice. This is the level of alert the City of Kelowna Water Utility is currently under for turbidity levels between 1-5 NTU.

Boil Water Notice                           
Used in situations in which the public health threat posed by the water supply system is significant and the nature of the threat is one that can be effectively addressed through boiling of the water. This is reserved for water turbidity water conditions that exceed 5 NTU or have indication of positive Coliform bacteria in the system.

Do Not Use Notice                         
Used in situations where a significant public health threat exists in relation to the water supply system, and the threat cannot be adequately addressed through a Water Quality Advisory or Boil Water Notice.

Interior Health Authority’s recommendations for a Water Quality Advisory

Who should take precaution:

• People with weakened immune systems or chronic illnesses
• People under 12 and over 65 years of age
• People wishing for additional protection

How to take precaution:

• Boil water for one minute, then store in clean covered containers in your refrigerator. Be sure water is cool before drinking to avoid burns or scalds.
• Use filtered or distilled water
• Use an alternative water resource (e.g. bottled water)

Other than turbidity, there is no indication of chemical parameters that exceeded any health related concentration limits according to the Canadian Drinking Water Guidelines.

All businesses and public facilities on the City water utility are required to post notifications at all tap and sink locations for the duration of the Advisory.

A printer friendly (8.5 x 11) sign has been created to provide customers and staff with proper direction.

Food establishments seeking further direction should refer to the Interior Health guidelines.

Testing will continue on a frequent basis until it is determined that quality levels are well within Drinking Water and Interior Health guidelines. At that time Interior Health will determine whether the advisory can be lifted.

A number of Water Quality Advisories and Boil Water Notices are in place throughout the Central Okanagan.

Check with your water service provider for the most up-to-date information.

City of Kelowna Water Quality Hotline: 250-469-8475

For health related questions, please contact the Interior Health office and ask for a Drinking Water Officer: 250-469-7070

For updates on the Water Quality Advisory or to e-Subscribe for updates, visit the City’s Drinking Water page at kelowna.ca/water. 

A list of frequently asked questions is also available for more information.

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