Update - August 28, 2026 9:00am
In conjunction with Interior Health, the Regional District of North Okanagan (RDNO) advises that the precautionary Water Quality Advisory (WQA) for Greater Vernon Water (GVW) customers supplied by the Kalamalka Lake water source has been RESCINDED.
The advisory was issued on August 14, 2026, after turbidity levels in Kalamalka Lake increased above 3.0 NTU. Turbidity is a measure of water clarity and can increase when fine particles become suspended in the water. Elevated turbidity can interfere with the effectiveness of drinking water treatment and, as a precaution, a WQA is issued when operational thresholds are exceeded. Throughout the advisory period, the RDNO maintained treatment and disinfection, and all bacterial test results remained within drinking water standards.
Water from Kalamalka Lake has since returned to normal conditions, with turbidity levels remaining below 3.0 NTU. The RDNO continues to maintain treatment, all bacterial results in the system are clear, and disinfection levels are within normal drinking water standards. Based on current monitoring results, the advisory is no longer required.
Since the advisory was issued, GVW has continued to closely monitor source water quality and investigate potential factors contributing to the elevated turbidity. Additional algae monitoring has been completed and there is no indication of elevated algae numbers.
To better protect customers from similar water quality events in the future, GVW is moving forward with a filtration upgrade at the Mission Hill Water Treatment Plant, where water from Kalamalka Lake is treated. The project is currently in the design phase and is an important investment in the long-term reliability of this water source. Once filtration is installed and fully operational, it will remove turbidity from the water and significantly reduce the likelihood that similar water quality events will affect customers.
Customers may notice that water remains slightly different in appearance from time to time as natural lake conditions continue to fluctuate; however, current water quality results confirm that the water treatment process is operating as intended and drinking water remains safe.
Updates will be posted to www.rdno.ca/news (filter by Water Notices). You can also subscribe to receive email updates at www.rdno.ca/subscribe. If you have any questions, please contact the RDNO Utilities Department at 250-550-3700.
Original notice - August 14, 2026
In conjunction with Interior Health, the Regional District of North Okanagan (RDNO) is issuing a precautionary Water Quality Advisory (WQA) for Greater Vernon Water (GVW) customers supplied by the Kalamalka Lake water source.
Water from Kalamalka Lake is currently more turbid than normal, with turbidity levels above 3.0 NTU. Turbidity is a measure of water clarity and can increase when fine particles become suspended in the water. In the past, similar conditions have been linked to factors such as marl, strong winds or algae blooms. While GVW continues to investigate the reasons, the current increase may be related to historically low lake levels combined with current weather, lake activity and environmental conditions.
During the cooler months, GVW can temporarily stop drawing water from Kalamalka Lake to minimize the effects of elevated turbidity; however, summer water demands are much higher, making this option unavailable. According to Health Canada's Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality, elevated turbidity can interfere with the effectiveness of drinking water treatment, which is why a precautionary Water Quality Advisory is issued when turbidity exceeds established operational thresholds. The treatment the RDNO provides has been maintained; all bacterial results in the system are clear and disinfection levels are normal. Some customers with weakened immune systems or those wishing for additional protection may wish to boil their water for at least one minute when preparing food, drinking, washing fruits and vegetables, making beverages or ice, or brushing their teeth. The RDNO will continue to monitor water quality, and customers will be notified of any further changes.
To better protect customers from similar water quality events in the future, GVW is moving forward with a filtration upgrade at the Mission Hill Water Treatment Plant, where water from Kalamalka Lake is treated. The project is currently in the design phase and is an important investment in the long-term reliability of this water source. Once filtration is installed and fully operational, it will remove turbidity from the water and significantly reduce the likelihood that similar water quality events will affect customers.
Updates will be posted to www.rdno.ca/news (filter by Water Notices). You can also subscribe to receive email updates at www.rdno.ca/subscribe. If you have any questions, please contact the RDNO Utilities Department at 250-550-3700.
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