June 24, 2010
COLDSTREAM, BC – On Wednesday, January 13, 2010, the Regional District of North Okanagan (RDNO) well water supply at Antwerp Springs was contaminated by a discharge of foreign material into the water operating system, resulting in a temporary contamination of the water system. In the ensuing five months since this incident the RDNO, along with the Ministry of the Environment (MOE) and Interior Health Authority (IHA), have taken roles in the investigation and response to this occurrence.
On an interim basis, the RDNO can report and advise as follows:
1. The contamination of the water system was reported and responded to very quickly after its occurrence;
2. The RDNO is aware of no ill effects to health as a result of the occurrence. Furthermore, none have been reported to the RDNO or IHA;
3. In order to gain an understanding as to the contamination pathway, the RDNO commissioned and obtained the April 16, 2010 report of Kerr Wood Leidal, Consulting Engineers, which identified the contaminant pathway as being through an RDNO well known as Antwerp Springs #3 and into the RDNO’s Antwerp Springs #1 well;
4. The RDNO has also obtained the April 22, 2010 hydrologist’s report of Sustainable Subsurface Solutions, which contains recommendations relating to the elimination of the contaminant pathway;
5. Both of these reports are available to the public for review;
6. The RDNO has fully adopted the recommendations contained in the Sustainable Subsurface Solutions report and has permanently sealed the Antwerp Springs #3 well, thereby eliminating the contamination pathway; and
7. Finally, the RDNO has received the advice of MOE that it is in the process of preparing a report as to the source of the contamination, but that such report has not yet been completed.
The RDNO Board of Directors and staff acknowledge and thank its water users for the high level of cooperation and patience while occurrence was being addressed. As the occurrence required domestic water systems to be flushed and cleared of contaminants, the RDNO will credit the accounts of all water users in the affected areas in an amount equal to the value of 10 cubic meters (2,640 USgal.) of water.
For more information:
Arnold Badke, P.Eng,
General Manager, Engineering - RDNO
250.550.3795
arnold.badke@rdno.ca
