Boil Water Advisory Eased But Still A Concern In B.C.
Posted November 17, 2006 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Local health officials advised residents to avoid using tap water, even for washing vegetables. The water flowing from faucets in the area is said to resemble weak tea.
The advisory was eased on Friday, but thousands were still affected.
According to measurements taken at Vancouver International Airport, the area has received an incredible 236.8mm of rain this month with just under two weeks to go. The rainfall record of 350.8mm was set in 1983.
“It’s precautionary because we have no evidence of contamination or illness from the water,” Dr. Patricia Daly, medical health officer for Vancouver Coastal Health Authority, said.
“We know that with turbidity levels this high there is an increased risk of gastrointestinal illness. So people need to be aware of that, although it’s their choice.
“If I’m asked, I’m telling the public: Don’t drink the water from the tap at this time. Drink bottled water or boil your water for a full minute.”
Hospitals, schools and residential care facilities are under a boil water order.
The murky water has affected nearly every aspect of life in the Western city. A Starbucks in downtown Vancouver had to stop serving hot coffee and some grocery stores had to turn off their produce sprayers used to cool vegetables.
And while officials try to clear up the water, crews were busy repairing downed power and telephone lines blown down in the fierce wind and rain storm Wednesday that left more than 200,000 customers in the dark.
Vancouverites won’t be happy to learn that more rain is in the forecast for southwestern BC, including the possibility of another intense storm.
