Boil Water Notice Downgraded for the Woodbury Village Water System
May 31, 2024
Nelson, BC: The Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) is pleased to announce that effective immediately the long-standing Boil Water Notice issuedfor users on the Woodbury Village Water System has been downgraded to a Water Quality Advisory.The system is located on Woodbury Village Road along Highway 3A between Ainsworth Hot Springs and the Village of Kaslo, within RDCK Electoral Area D.
On October 5, 2018 a Boil Water Notice was issued due to water treatment components not meeting Provincial treatment requirements for surface water. Equipment upgrades to the treatment facility have been installed under an Interior Health Construction Permit, and are operating as designed. During the commissioning period of the upgraded facility, the Environmental Health Officer has agreed to reduce the long-standing Boil Water Notice to a Water Quality Advisory.
While health risks are considered low under a Water Quality Advisory, the RDCK and Interior Health recommend that children, the elderly, people with weakened immune systems, and anyone seeking additional protection drink boiled water or a safe alternative until further notice. 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. Boiled water should then be refrigerated in a clean, covered container. Customers could also choose to use bottled or distilled water, or water that has been filtered through a well-maintained treatment device.
Woodbury water system was created in 1985 to service the Woodbury Village development. The Woodbury Village Services Society took ownership in 1988 and operated the system as a community until 2012. The RDCK took over operations of the Woodbury Village Water System in January 2012.
“This is a success story for a small water system that has faced so many challenges similar to other water systems in the area,” explained Alex Divlakovski, RDCK Water Operations Manager. “There is a significant portion of residents in the RDCK who receive water from systems that face the uphill battle to improve water quality issues, meet regulatory requirements, replace aging infrastructure, and employ certified operators,” continued Divlakovski, “and many aren’t even aware of the potential supply or health risks they face.”
The RDCK currently owns and operates 18 water systems within the RDCK. Staff will be presenting a Water and Wastewater System Acquisition Plan to the Board of Directors in June for approval, which may result in rescinding the existing moratorium on acquiring new systems. Both the Provincial Ministry of Health and Interior Health have provided letters of support for lifting the moratorium.
The RDCK wishes to thank Electoral Area D Director, Aimee Watson, for Community Works Grant funding that contributed to the success of the project, and the Woodbury Village community members for their patience and support as we work to achieve full regulatory compliance.
Senior government grant funding provided a large portion of the financial contributions necessary for the upgrades.
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The content on this page was last updated May 31 2024 at 10:15 AM