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:
A total of 455 bacteriological samples were submitted in 2018 indicating the minimum sampling frequency was exceeded. Only 1 sample indicated a low total coliform count indicating overall bacteriological water quality was consistently good throughout the year. In view of the stable chlorine residual levels, the one sample noted above may be due to a mishap in the sample collection procedure. As a result of a variety of sources, both surface and ground water, there is some variability of chemical water quality within the system, although no parameters pose an immediate concern. As noted previously the source water in several wells has relatively low pH, below the operational guideline noted in the guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality (GCDWQ). Options for pH adjustment should be investigated and a long term plan finalized as a means of improving the chemical stability of the treated drinking water. Changes to the GCDWQ in 2019 include a lowering of the MAC for lead to 5 ppb. At this time VCH is comfortable with the approach taken by the RMOW in terms of advising the public to flush taps before water consumption. It is also anticipated that a new MAC for manganese will be introduced in the coming months. This is a departure from the current guideline where an aesthetic objective is in place for manganese. A review of water quality from all ground water sources should be undertaken to determine if any supply strategies will be necessary once the new manganese standard is introduced. Amalgamation of the former Van West service area was completed in 2018 and improved sampling points have been established. The water sources which formerly serviced this area are no longer in use but full decommissioning is not yet complete. A plan for decommissioning these works and a Construction Permit Application should be prepared with a goal of completing the works in the next 18 months. Source water protection continues to be an important factor in the ongoing provision of safe drinking water. Ongoing work should include a review of the current state of all water sources (both surface and ground water) and an inventory of the areas adjacent to all water sources. It is recommended that this become an annual program and form the basis for an updated Groundwater Resource Protection Plan. A variety of tools can be considered to enhance protection of the wellheads and the 21 Mile Creek surface source such as increased signage, public education and access controls where appropriate. An emphasis of the importance of source water protection should also be factored into the updated OCP. Significant work has been completed related to implementing cross connection control measures throughout the RMOW. We are optimistic of bylaw approval in the near future which would facilitate this program and place emphasis on Industrial, Commercial and Institutional premises. Your efforts in this regard are an excellent addition to the multi-barrier approach in place. 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. In December 2018 a power failure followed by a series of control failures resulted in a significant quantity of untreated surface water enterring the distribution system. This unexpected occurrence highlights the need to re-evaluate how the entire system responds to emergencies in terms of critical infrastructure. We understand a temporary UPS upgrade is being completed which should prevent this from recurring however there may be better strategies to implement which would reduce the risk of non-potable water reaching the consumer. It is recommended you consider the most likely risks to the treatment works, determine the back-up power demand required to ensure water disinfection can continue uninterrupted during such events and the operational demands associated. This should include reassessment of the need for on-site auxiliary power generation. Please review and update your Emergency Response and Contingency Plan (ERCP) to ensure contact information is updated. As we discussed, consideration should be given to managing events such an interface wildfire - including a BWA should you need to augment supply with flow from back up sources. Ideally your ERCP should be practised in a desktop exercise to assess for gaps and communication efficiency. Attached is an updated contact list for VCH for inclusion in the ERCP. Thank you for submitting your 2017 annual monitoring report. Your 2018 annual report is not due until June 30, 2019.