UPDATE: High water causing water quality issues for Okanagan communities

OKANAGAN – With flooding across the region, water quality issues are arising across the Okanagan.

The Westbank First Nation issued a boil water notice for the Westbank First Nation IR 9 due to elevated turbidity in the water supply last night, May 5. It is recommended that all water for consumption be boiled for one minute before consuming. Water used for other things, like cooking or dish washing, should be fine.

The City of Penticton issued a water quality advisory today, May 6, as a precaution, also suggesting residents in parts of the city boil water for a minute before consuming.

The advisory covers residents in the east part of the city, including all of the Naramata Road area, all of the Valleyview Road area, the area between Government Street and Columbia Street and Evergreen Drive, Uplands area, Wiltse area and Lower Columbia area according to a press release.

Crews are working to repair a water main that carried water to those neighbourhoods. The high water flow in Ellis Creek caused the water main, which runs under the creek, to be washed out around midnight last night.

The Greater Vernon Water Utility has switched water sources from Duteau Creek to Kalamalka Lake due to Duteau Creek flooding, according to a press release from the District of the North Okanagan. A boil water notice has since been issued by the Interior Health Authority and Greater Vernon Water for people supplied with water from Duteau Creek and Kalamalka Lake sources as a precaution due to water levels. The water quality is now rated poor in the area. Any water used for drinking, washing or preparing food or brushing teeth should be boiled. 

— This story was updated at 12:46 p.m. May 6 with new information from the City of Vernon.

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