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Edgewater residents urged to limit water use
Windermere residents also asked to limit non-essential water use
Users on the Edgewater Water System are being urged to immediately limit water use to essential purposes only after a debris slide impacted the community’s drinking water source, the Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) reported June 3.
“The RDEK is currently trucking water from Radium into the steel reservoir towers to ensure a water supply for essential water use for the community,” explained RDEK Engineering Services Manager Brian Funke. “Trucking water offers a limited supply and we currently cannot keep up with the demand. It’s critical that the community limit their water use as much as possible.”
Residents should avoid all outdoor watering and washing of vehicles; run only full loads of laundry or dishes and limit both as much as possible; take short showers; and, be very conscious about how much water they are using.
As a result of heavy rain on Sunday, there was a small slide in the McCauley Creek watershed, resulting in debris and mud settling into the lake. The pipe intake that takes the water from the lake into the steel reservoirs for the Edgewater Water System is located within the affected area of the lake, and had to be turned off to avoid having that muddy water end up in the reservoir storage.
As it will take some time for the lake to naturally settle out or flush through the spillway, the RDEK is investigating whether it can temporarily re-route the water system intake to a less turbid location. It is not yet known whether this alternative may be possible.
The RDEK will continue trucking water into the towers until conditions within the lake improve, or a temporary solution is in place. “In the meantime, we are asking Edgewater residents to help us sustain the water supply by using water ONLY for essential purposes.”
Due to the high turbidity within the distribution system, a Boil Water Notice was issued Tuesday and remains in effect.
Meanwhile, residents on the Windermere Water System are also being urged to reduce water consumption immediately as high turbidity levels in Lake Windermere have prompted the RDEK to turn off the intake pumps in the lake.
It is important for residents on the Windermere Water System to limit water use to ensure the water in the reservoir lasts.
RDEK
