Island Health
1952 Bay Street Victoria, B.C. V8R 1J8 | Visit Official Website

Current Drinking Water Notices

Important Information About Boil Water Notices

Here you can find boil water notices and other advisories currently in place within VIHA. When a notice is no longer in effect, it is removed from the list. Boil Water Notices may be subject to change on short notice. Updated information is posted to this site as often as possible, taking into account such factors, amongst others, as how late in the business week or prior to holidays the information is obtained. The most current information on the status of a Boil Water Notice can be obtained from the operator of the water system.

Always check with your local water supplier for the most up to date information.

Important Notes

  • Boil water notices on First Nations land are not included on this page. A list is available from Health Canada.
  • Some small water systems have been under a boil notice for years. This means they have not been able to ensure the water they provide is safe to consume without first boiling it.

Types of Advisories

Boil Water Notice (BWN):

Used to advise public that there is a significant public health threat to their water supply and that they should boil (rolling boil for 1 minute) their drinking water prior to consumption in order to eliminate any disease causing microorganisms that are suspected or confirmed to be in the water supply. Examples could include: Total Coliforms, E. coli, Turbidity Events, Flooding or Treatment Failure.

Water Quality Advisory (WQA):

Used to advise the public that there is some level of risk associated with consuming the drinking water supply, however a boil water notice is not needed at this time. The risk could be elevated for some individuals of the general population with weakened immune systems or existing medical conditions. Examples could include: Turbidity, Sodium Content.

Do Not Consume (DNC):

Used to advise public that there is a significant public health threat to consuming the water supply that cannot be removed by boiling the water. The water supply is safe to use for general household sanitation or irrigation. Examples could include: Chemical contamination.

Do Not Use (DNU):

Used to advise the public that there could be a significant public health threat to using the water supply for any purposes at all. The water supply cannot be made safe by boiling it and the water is not safe for any use including general household sanitation or irrigation. Examples could include: Chemical contamination or large environmental spill that could cause a health hazard.

For more information about what to do during a boil water notice, visit

https://www.islandhealth.ca/learn-about-health/drinking-water/what-do-during-boil-water-notice

Facility Name

Location

Start Date

Port Alberni (City)
01/15/2016
Cortes Island
09/13/2021
Campbell River (City)
11/28/2023
Strathcona Regional District
06/09/2017
Mayne Island
11/20/2023
Campbell River (City)
06/07/2010
Honeymoon Bay
10/07/2022
Salt Spring Island
07/12/2021
Courtenay (City)
11/03/2017
Duncan (City)
04/18/2019
Port Alberni (City)
12/04/2023
Parksville (City)
09/09/2022
Campbell River (City)
02/15/2008
Port Alberni (City)
02/11/2022
Baynes Sound-Denman/Hornby Islands
12/13/2023
Courtenay (City)
03/18/2024
Port Alberni (City)
11/16/2023
Cortes Island
08/04/2011
Quadra Island
11/09/2015
Sayward (Village)
07/17/2018
Cortes Island
08/10/2015
Qualicum Beach (Town)
07/24/2020
Galiano Island
02/09/2024
Mayne Island
10/24/2023
Salt Spring Island
12/12/2023
Parksville (City)
07/20/2023
Lake Cowichan (Town)
09/29/2020
Lasqueti Island
04/21/1994
Courtenay (City)
08/23/1996
Discovery Islands-Mainland Inlets
07/26/2018
North Cowichan (District)
09/01/2023
North Cowichan (District)
08/30/2018
Courtenay (City)
01/21/2005
Port Alberni (City)
10/26/2000
Salt Spring Island
10/06/2023
Mayne Island
11/04/2021
Cobble Hill
03/16/2024
Duncan (City)
11/10/2023
Duncan (City)
09/25/2020
Nanaimo (City)
10/20/2021
Nanaimo (City)
12/01/2023
Duncan (City)
03/14/2024
Tofino (District)
03/27/2024
Qualicum Beach (Town)
09/20/2021