File photo (Image credit: CFJC Today).

By Aaron Schulze

Rayleigh Boil Water Advisory

Boil water advisory in place for Rayleigh after power outage depletes water reservoir levels

Jul 17, 2025 | 9:30 AM

KAMLOOPS — Residents in Rayleigh are being asked to boil and conserve water over the next few days.

An overnight outage knocked out power to Rayleigh’s water lift pumps, depleting the north Kamloops neighbourhood’s water reservoir levels and triggering a boil water advisory.

Speaking to CFJC Today Thursday (July 17), Glen Desjardine, the chairman for the Rayleigh Waterworks Improvement District, said while they do have a backup alert notification, it was also shut off during the power outage.

“Both have been restored, but we’re at low levels,” Desjardine said. “Anytime there’s a low level in the water reservoir and water system, there’s an opportunity for bacterial growth because of the absence of water.”

Desjardine said the Rayleigh Waterworks Improvement District will follow Interior Health’s protocol and conduct multiple tests of the water until the health authority determines there’s no bacterial growth in the water system.

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He said the advisory will be in place for a minimum of three days but added that residents should expect to boil water for longer.

“I don’t think they’ll be satisfied with our water in less than three days,” Desjardine said. “For today, it’s reduce the amount of water consumption. No irrigation, just personal water.”

The advisory is confined to the 745 water connections in Rayleigh.

Residents in Rayleigh are asked to bring their water to a rolling boil for at least one minute before cooling it for use. Residents are asked to use boiled or bottled water for brushing their teeth, drinking, making ice, preparing food or washing dishes.

The Rayleigh Waterworks Improvement District is an autonomous local government body that operates within the City of Kamloops. It’s responsible for providing water and sewer utility services for Rayleigh residents.