Water returns for east Kamloops neighbourhoods following repairs; water quality restrictions remain

“We have now monitored through the night and everything is holding well.”

What you can’t do is drink or consume water directly from taps, as restrictions remain in effect for the six affected neighbourhoods. Properties in Valleyview, Dallas and Campbell Creek are under a boil water advisory, while those in Juniper Ridge, Rose Hill and Barnhartvale are on a do not consume order.

“Teams are starting to work through actually flushing the system so we can start to remove the restrictions on drinking,” Luison added. “As those tests come back what we’ll do is we’ll start putting out alerts to appropriate areas saying what stage they’re at.”

Luison said that process that could take between five and 14 days to complete.

In a statement, Interior Health said it is “closely linked in” with the city to support the evaluation of the results of the water testing.

“While water has now been restored, loss of pressure in a system like this increases the risk of contamination,” medical health officer Dr. Sandra Allison said. “Without pressure, contaminated water can backflow from various connections or from the soil.”

“No specific contaminants have been identified in East Kamloops water and there are no reports of illness. However, comprehensive water testing needs to be completed to confirm the water in the system is safe to drink before advisories are lifted.”

Repairs are Holding

Friday’s update marks a major milestone in the lengthy saga that began as a water main valve failure on Sunday before it escalated into a leak and then a break. Repair efforts were unsuccessful Tuesday, forcing crews to pivot to Plan B, which involved “more robust” repairs along River Street.

“Contractors on site cut out a section of the concrete pipe and put in those brackets that we had ordered and had custom made out of Vancouver,” Luison said of the repairs. “They assembled it back with a piece of PVC pipe in between, tightened it down and we started letting water flow once we were backfilled to the appropriate level.”

He noted these repairs were plan B, because the city had to urgently custom-order parts “which were not readily available.” Initial repairs included a band clamp, which wraps around the 500-millimetre pipe. Luison said that first repair likely failed “because of the pipe size and the pressure.”

“We out a different style on knowing that eventually we would have to come back,” Luison said Friday. “We did expect that the other one would hold without a leak, but it was not going to be the permanent repair.”

On Thursday, the city asked residents and businesses east of Rose Hill Road to temporarily stop all water use between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., so crews had a window to complete repairs. Repairs were completed that evening, and people were allowed to resume using water for essential purposes.

“We did monitor what type of water use was occurring during this when we put on the restrictions,” Luison said. “The residents helped out immensely. We saw huge numbers in reduction, much better than we were anticipating, so we wanted to say thanks to the residents.”

“I know it took some time [but] it was a big collaborative group out there that seemed to shut those taps off for those hours that we needed, and it made us successful.”

Potable water is available at Valleyview Arena, the BC Wildlife Park, Dallas Park, and the Dallas Fire Station until 11:59 p.m. this evening. Starting tomorrow – until health official give the all clear – this water will be available at Valleyview Arena and the Dallas fire station between 6:00 a.m. and 10 p.m.

– With files from Aaron Schulze/CFJC Today

by Victor Kaisar

Water returns for east Kamloops neighbourhoods following repairs; water quality restrictions remain

Repairs are Holding

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