A water quality advisory for Enderby residents is ending sooner than expected.
The advisory, which came in effect today, July 23, will now end at noon on Thursday, July 25.
The city issued the advisory as a precaution due to testing of the distribution system that is taking place. The testing is necessary to prepare for the reconstruction of the system's lower reservoir.
The city said in June that it is preparing to reconstruct the lower reservoir from this fall to the spring of 2025, as the structure is failing and needs to be enlarged to meet current and future demands.
During construction, the city's water distribution system will operate differently, as it will bypass the lower reservoir and send water directly to the upper reservoir.
The change necessitated a test of the system, which in turn necessitated the water quality advisory. However, the city said Tuesday that based on the outcomes of that test, the length of time it will take for water in the system to return to its typical quality is less than anticipated.
Tate Bengtson, the city's chief administrative officer, said the water quality advisory was originally planned to last until midnight Saturday, July 27.
Residents may notice city crews flushing water from hydrants over the next several days in an effort to improve the water turnover rate in the system.
For the remainder of the water quality advisory, residents with weakened immune systems or those wanting additional protection can boil water for at least one minute, or use an alternative safe source of water, when drinking, washing fruits and vegetables, making beverages or ice, and when brushing teeth. Those residents are also advised to use a hand sanitizer after washing hands.
For more information, contact the City of Enderby at 250-838-7230 or info@cityofenderby.com. If residents notice any changes to drinking water such as a variation in pressure, colour, clarity or availability, they are asked to fill out the form at www.cityofenderby.com/water-bypass.
