‘Do not consume’ rescinded
Photo: Madison Reeve/file
FILE-West Kelowna.
UPDATE: 4:05 p.m.
Residents of the Tallus Ridge and Shannon Woods neighbourhoods can again turn on the taps.
The City of West Kelowna, in consultation with Interior Health, has lifted the do-not-consume water order for residents of those two neighbourhoods.
In a news release, the city said water quality tests conducted at both the reservoir and a portion of the distribution network have confirmed all parameters meet provincial and federal regulations and guidelines.
“The Tallus reservoir has been fully cleaned and inspected following last week’s security breach, during which city crews promptly isolated the reservoir after receiving an intrusion alarm,” the release said.
“Enhanced security measures have since been reinstated. The reservoir will be refilled and returned to service later this week.
“The Shannon Woods reservoir is currently providing water to this area until the Tallus reservoir is back in service.”
Earlier today the RCMP said the individuals responsible for the breach have been identified and are cooperating with the police investigation.
The city extended its appreciation to the RCMP for its investigative work and thanked the public for the patience and co-operation.
UPDATE: 9:45 A.M.
Police in West Kelowna say all individuals responsible for an incident at the Tallus Ridge reservoir last Thursday have now been identified.
In a news release Tuesday morning, police confirm the individuals are also co-operating with the investigation.
“Investigators have determined that the incident resulted in only minor damage to the property,” the release stated.
“The investigation remains ongoing as officers continue to assess the circumstances in consultation with the City of West Kelowna.
“Residents are advised to continue following the City of West Kelowna’s do not consume water order until official testing confirms that normal water use can safely resume.
ORIGINAL 7 a.m.
Early test results from the West Kelowna reservoir broken into last week are encouraging, but an update on the “do not consume” order affecting 300 homes won’t be available until Wednesday, city officials say.
“Initial tests indicate there is no bacteriological contamination in the reservoir or distribution system. We are awaiting further test results to confirm there is no contamination from metals/chemicals,” City of West Kelowna officials said in a statement.
‘We expect the results by end of day (Tuesday) and we anticipate providing an update on Wednesday.’
On Monday, city staff conducted a reservoir inspection and cleaning. Once the cleaning is complete and the test results indicate there is no contamination, the reservoir will be refilled.
The do not consume order has been in place since late Thursday, when an access hatch at the reservoir was opened, general manager of operations Patrick Pulak said, hours after the break-in.
Pulak said the operator arrived within about 10 to 15 minutes of the alarm saying the hatch had been opened went off, and determined no one was at the scene, Pulak said. Then safety protocols, including the order, fell into place shortly thereafter.
The city said on Thursday, crews worked quickly to isolate the reservoir to limit any potentially contaminated water from entering the system.
“The reservoir remains isolated while we await the test results. These precautionary measures have been put in place out of an abundance of caution for public health and safety,” city staff said in an email.
“We will lift the do not consume water order when we are confident there is no contamination and drinking water is safe for consumption. If test results confirm there is contamination, we will take additional steps to disinfect the water and flush out any contaminants.”
Residents under the do not consume order have access to free water at the bulk filling station at Shannon Lake and Asquith Roads. Bring clean bottles for filling.
As for the suspects in the break-in, on Friday, police said they identified them, though at that point there had been no arrests made, and the investigation is continuing. A request for an update had not been immediately available.
While the motive remains unclear, he said the city will review the incident and consider potential security upgrades, which could include anything from stronger locks to improved fencing and additional cameras.
