High turbidity in water supply remains an issue in Whiskey Creek

Regional District of Nanaimo trucking in water as required

Michael Briones
Sep. 30, 2020

Whiskey Creek remains under Stage 4 watering restrictions and some residents are wondering why.

The Regional District of Nanaimo first issued the water advisory on Aug. 19 and since its last update on Sept. 2, nothing has changed.

Crocker Creek, the main surface water source of the Whiskey Creek Water Service Area, has been experiencing a high level of turbidity. RDN manager of water services, regional and community utilities Murray Walters said this always happens during the rainy season but it worsened earlier this year.

The water is treated to make it safe to drink before it is allowed in the reservoir but when it is not possible, the RDN has to truck in water to keep the reservoir full, which it has done for approximately 130 residences.

Resident Jennah Stavroff raised concerns about the water restrictions and what she called a lack of information coming from the regional district
“The area often has high turbidity in fall and spring, causing boil advisories, but this is first we’ve seen serious lack of water needing a secondary source,” said Stavroff.

Walters said they are investigating the high level of turbidity and added that water is being trucked in only when it is required.

“So far since the start of the Stage 4 restrictions, we have trucked in about 800 cubic metres of water,” said Walters. “This has cost the water service area (the residents, collectively) several thousand dollars.”

The regional district is asking residents to continue to conserve water as much as possible. Walter said they’re hopeful the restriction will be lifted before next summer.

The RDN, Walters said, has developed a groundwater well to replace Crocker Creek as the source of raw water for the Whiskey Creek water system.

“We are working with Island Health to get the necessary permits to bring this water online, via temporary infrastructure, as soon as possible,” said Walters.

http://bcwatercalculator.ca/landscape/irrigation

https://www.pqbnews.com/news/high-turbidity-in-water-supply-remains-an-issue-in-whiskey-creek/