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Boil water advisory extended

Utility had tough time finding engineer

By Vivian Moreau

Function Junction companies and residents are to continue to boil drinking water and water for food preparation and dish washing purposes as the advisory will remain in place for several more weeks.

Van West Water Utility, Function Junction’s water system, has had difficulty contracting an engineer to take on the water system upgrade, said Cindy Watson, drinking water officer for Vancouver Coastal Health Authority.

Watson said engineers are tapped out from the B.C. construction boom and finding one is no easy task. And although the Function Junction water system is small the process is complex, she said.

“It’s not like installing your stereo system,” she said.

Jon Perrett, owner of Van West, says once the new system’s design is approved, it shouldn’t be that difficult to install. “It’s all the red tape that takes time,” he said. Perrett approached three firms before finding one, Vancouver-based Dillon Engineering, that would take on the project.

There are 37 lots or suites connected to Van West. The boil water advisory has been in place since Sept. 29 after routine test results showed unacceptable total coliform and fecal coliform counts in the water. Van West did not have a disinfecting system in place at the time, but is now using an emergency chlorination system to disinfect. Test results have been within acceptable standards since November, Perrett said. However, the advisory will remain in effect until an ultraviolet system can be approved and installed.

 

 

Sidebar:

Boil water for:

• drinking water, making drinks

• preparing food (including washing fruits and vegetables), ice cubes, and brushing teeth.

How to boil water:

In an an electric kettle or microwave oven, bring water to a rolling boil and let boil for two minutes . Let the water cool, pour into a clean container and store in the fridge.

To disinfect water for washing dishes, add two drops of household bleach to dish water.

Carbon filter home water treatment devices don't cut it. You still need to boil your water.

– Compiled with information from Environmental Health Services, Vancouver Coastal Health Authority and from Health Canada