WATER UTILITY - TURBIDITY EDUCATION CAMPAIGN
The Beaver Creek Improvement District is working with Vancouver Island Health Authority to deliver a Turbidity Education and Notification Campaign that will better inform water users. In keeping with provincial regulations, the campaign requires the Improvement District to notify our customers of elevated turbidity levels (cloudiness in the water). Science has proven that as turbidity levels rise, the risk of gastrointestinal illnesses such as Salmonellosis and Giardiasis also increases - particularly for at-risk populations such as children, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems. Contaminants such as viruses, bacteria, and parasites can attach themselves to the suspended particles in turbid water. These particles can then interfere with disinfection by shielding contaminants from the disinfection (e.g. chlorine).
Turbidity is defined as “Fine suspended particles of clay, silt, organic and inorganic matter, plankton, and other microscopic organisms that are picked up by water as it passes through a watershed or are deposited into a lake.” The Turbidity Index is a messaging tool designed to notify customers of current turbidity levels and, therefore, the relative risk of drinking water. The Index shows whether water is Good (<1 NTU), Fair (1-5 NTU) or Poor (>5 NTU).
Water provided to customers by the Improvement District, for 99.9% of the year is considered “GOOD” (i.e. turbidity under <1 NTU), however, during spring freshet and other periods of extremely heavy rainfalls, the turbidity index may deteriorate to “FAIR”.
The Improvement District is committed to providing clean fresh quality drinking water to the Residents of Beaver Creek. As part of this commitment we will be notifying customers of turbidity levels. Methods of notification will include the BCID website, Telephone Call System, public notices, etc.
When turbidity levels exceed the 1 NTU standard recommended in the federal Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality, the Beaver Creek Improvement District will issue a WATER QUALITY ADVISORY (WQA). While health risks during a WQA are considered very low, the Beaver Creek Improvement District and Vancouver Island Health Authority recommend that children, the elderly, people with weakened immune systems, and anyone seeking additional protection drink boiled water or a safe alternative. For these at-risk populations, water intended for drinking, washing fruits or vegetables, making beverages or ice, or brushing teeth should be boiled for one minute.
In addition, safe alternatives to tap water include inspected/approved bottled or distilled water, or water filtered through a well-maintained treatment device.
