The Municipality of North Cowichan has issued an immediate boil water advisory for Crofton after a leak was detected in the supply line that brings water from the Cowichan River to the Crofton Mill.
Residents were informed on Thursday at 3 p.m. and the advisory remains in effect through to at least the end of the long weekend when the next update is expected Tuesday at 12:30 p.m.
“The supply main that failed supplies the Catalyst Water Treatment Facility which in turn the Municipality of North Cowichan purchases the water off of Catalyst to supply our system for the town,” assistant manager of operations Rob Bell told the Chronicle. “When they lose their supply we use our supply.”
The treatment facility is the main water source for the community and a similar leak last year also forced a boil water advisory on the approximately 1,100 residents for six days.
“The location of the leak has been detected and North Cowichan staff are working with the Crofton Mill to repair the leak as quickly as possible,” according to a media release.
“While repairs are underway, the Crofton Mill will not be using water from the community supply. Mill operations will not impact the availability of drinking water to Crofton.”
Staff are now preparing to switch over to an alternate source of water from Crofton Lake to ensure the community has “continual access to water” while the necessary repairs to the supply line are completed.
“Crofton Lake is an unfiltered surface water source,” Bell said. “Canadian Drinking Water guidelines require filtration of surface water sources and it’s an unfiltered source so it requires a boil order.”
North Cowichan staff are also installing signs around Crofton to notify the community about the advisory.
Bell said construction will likely start in a month on a $3.2 million project called Crofton Alternate Water Supply that will tie in to the south end system and likely solve future complications.
“So if in the future there’s any interruptions with the mill’s water supply we will not be returning to Crofton Lake and we will not require a boil order,” he said, adding that the estimated completion date is March 2018.
All of North Cowichan’s Fire Departments have been made aware of the situation and are sensitive to the water supply issues in Crofton.
The municipality is also in communication with Island Health.
Stage 3 Watering Restrictions are also now in effect for Crofton, and will remain in effect until further notice.
During Stage 3 sprinkling is not permitted. Residents are asked to see the Water Conservation Table for additional details on Stage 3.
All North Cowichan residents are also encouraged to sign up for the newly upgraded eALERT service. This service will notify residents of local emergencies and critical incidents occurring in North Cowichan, including boil water advisories. Online registration is quick and easy at www.northcowichan.ca/eALERT.
Updates will be posted on North Cowichan’s website and social media channels.