Residents in the Vancouver Island community of Deep Bay are being told to boil their drinking water after high levels of coliform bacteria were detected in recent water tests.
The Deep Bay Improvement District (DBID) announced Thursday that Island Health issued a boil water advisory effective immediately, impacting all homes and businesses connected to the local water system.
Water samples collected on Sept. 22 showed coliform counts of 25.4 and 28.8 per 100 millilitres at two locations in Deep Bay, above the acceptable level for safe drinking water.
The DBID says its water system, which serves 647 metered connections, is sourced from seven groundwater wells and stored in an above-ground reservoir. The water is not treated, meaning the district must rely on flushing and temporary chlorination to resolve the issue.
While the advisory is in place, residents are urged to disinfect water used for drinking, food preparation, brushing teeth, making ice or rinsing produce. Health officials say water should be brought to a rolling boil for at least one minute before use.
The DBID says the advisory will remain in effect until follow-up testing by Island Health confirms the water is safe.
This marks the second boil water advisory issued in Deep Bay this year. In January, more than 300 homes in the Jamieson Road area were placed under a similar notice after contamination was detected in that part of the system.
Residents with questions or concerns can contact the DBID directly. Updates will be posted on the district’s website and through Island Health once the advisory is lifted.
Jeff Lawrence is a Digital News Editor for CHEKNews.ca.
After graduating from Langara College’s journalism program in 2009, Jeff worked as a digital producer at CTV Vancouver and CTV Vancouver Island…
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