RMOW-Community Water System - Inspection Report

Inspection Information:

This facility was given a low hazard rating.
More information on hazard ratings.

Violations:
No violations were found during the inspection

Comments:
This is an annual assessment of the RMOW community water system undertaken Feb. 29, 2024 Water Quality: 1. Bacteriological: A total of 347 treated samples were submitted for bacteriological testing in 2023 which met the minimum required sampling frequency. No samples were positive for e coli or total coliforms indicating overall bacteriological water quality in the treated water was consistently excellent throughout the year. A total of 126 additional raw (untreated) samples were submitted from the various sources throughout the year as one means of monitoring the source water quality on an ongoing basis for significant changes. 2. Chemical/Physical: Samples for full water analyses were collected at 16 locations within the RMOW Community Water System in 2023. A review of the results does not indicate significant changes in source water quality. Generally speaking the various water sources exhibit pH values below the Operational Guidance range. Given the varied water sources in use (a total of 13 sources) in order to address corrosivity the design and installation of a series of individual treatment systems will be required over time. The Cheakamus/Function project underway is intended to address the resultant corrosivity of the water from those sources. Work on Phase 2 of this project is underway under a Construction Permit issued by VCH with completion in 2025 anticipated. At this time the RMOW has proposed to continue advising all consumers to flush water until cold before consumption, and to educate private property owners regarding their responsibility for the condition and maintenance of their building’s plumbing in terms of minimizing potential exposure to metals deriving from the plumbing and fixtures on their property. VCH supports this. Drinking Water Protection: The continuing provision of safe drinking water relies on ongoing source water protection. The work initiated in 2022 with Piteau and Associates to review and mitigate salinity effects in some community well water is an excellent step in protecting source water quality. The progression of the levels of sodium, chloride and TDS and mitigation effects over time continues to be of interest. Completion of an updated Water Master Plan is pending completion. This document should be helpful in providing guidance in the near and long term. On-site assessment of the 21 Mile Creek watershed continued in 2023. Ongoing adjustments to the work plan are anticipated as issues are noted. Implementation of the Cross Connection Control Plan continues and as a result the majority of high and moderate risk facilities are in compliance with this protective measure. Please review and update your Emergency Response and Contingency Plan (ERCP) as needed to ensure contact information is accurate. Work should begin on adjustments to the plan to include emergency response procedures related to treatment system upgrade(s) as they are installed. A turbidity set point issue occurred in Feb 2024 which resulted in a volume of water with turbidity >1.0 NTU being distributed. This was corrected and steps taken to prevent reoccurrence. Infrastructure: Where separate water sources exist within private developments measures to protect the municipal water system must be incorporated into the design. As noted previously VCH has some concerns with respect to the presence of some of the water service piping which passes through private developments to supply further properties. As strata and other development are considered as a 'system within a system' and therefore exempt from the requirements of the Drinking Water Protection Regulations (DWPR) there is limited control over water quality within these properties; the piping arrangements within the private / strata property are left to the design engineer to follow good engineering practice. VCH advocates no further such servicing be considered by the RMOW. We will continue to review the service connection from the RMOW to these developments for the purpose of issuing a construction Permit to the RMOW as well as assessing the need for backflow protection. Water availability in terms of changing climate remains a topic of concern in BC. VCH generally supports measures to encourage water conservation and notes a Volumetric Water Meter Pilot project is being implemented within a portion of this system. We are hopeful it will be an effective means of informing facilities of current use and potential opportunities to conserve. Thank you for submitting your 2022 annual monitoring report as required. Please submit your annual report for the 2023 year by June 30, 2024. This continues to be a well run water system with responsive staff.