Latest on Cranbrook’s Water Boil Notice

Update #3 from the City of Cranbrook:

A Boil Water Notice is in effect for all residents and customers who are on the City’s water system. The Boil Water Notice is expected to remain in effect until at least Monday, January 20, 2025.

All water used for drinking, making ice, cooking, washing food, and brushing teeth must come to a rolling boil for a minimum of one (1) minute. The public is encouraged to use an alternate, safe source of water if they choose not to boil their water.

Please do not consume and flush your cold water if you notice a strong chlorine odour until there is no chlorine smell noticed. While the City remains on a Boil Water Notice, the water supply is still safe to use for household cleaning, showering, bathing, and flushing toilets, although residents should be mindful and take care to not to ingest any shower or bath water.

We will continue to provide additional updates as more information becomes available.

The Interior Health Authority (IHA) has additional information for businesses and operators during a Boil Water Notice at https://www.interiorhealth.ca/information-for/businesses/food-premises.

Out of an abundance of caution, a Boil Water Notice was issued in coordination with IHA until further notice for all water system users as the result of disinfection issues at the Phillips Reservoir overnight on Thursday, January 16, 2025. Public Works Staff were performing scheduled maintenance and replacement of aging disinfection equipment when there were two brief occurrence of over chlorination and no chlorination. The disinfection issues were quickly corrected and the disinfection system was back to normal operation within 20 minutes.

Water samples have been sent away for analysis and testing to ensure and verify that the City’s water system is free of any bacteria before the Boil Water Advisory is officially lifted.

 

Update #2 from the City of Cranbrook:

All water customers who are on the City of Cranbrook’s water system are reminded that a Boil Water Notice is in effect for all residents and is expected to remain in effect until at least Monday, January 20, 2025.

All water used for drinking, washing and brushing teeth must come to a rolling boil for a minimum of one (1) minute.

If there is a strong chlorine taste or odour in your water, please do not consume and flush your cold water until there is no chlorine smell noticed.

The Interior Health Authority (IHA) advises that businesses such as restaurants, long-term care homes or childcare facilities should visit the IHA website, which has additional information on operating a business during a Boil Water Notice @ https://www.interiorhealth.ca/information-for/businesses/food-premises.

We will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.

Public Works staff were performing scheduled maintenance and replacement of aging disinfection equipment at the Phillips Reservoir overnight Wednesday, January 16, 2025.

During the work there were 2 brief occurrences of over chlorinating followed by not chlorinating the City’s water system.

Staff were able to quickly correct the disinfection issues and had the disinfection system back to normal operating within 20 minutes.

Public Works staff working with IHA determined that out of an abundance of caution a Boil Water Notice would be initiated until further notice for all water system users.

We will be taking water samples for testing and have them sent away for analysis, to ensure the system is free of any bacteria before the Boil Water Advisory is lifted.

 

Original release from the City of Cranbrook:

Due to a recent repair to the City’s water infrastructure overnight, the City has issued a Boil Water Notice for all residents and strongly recommends that you use boiled water, or a safe alternative until further notice.

All water used for drinking, washing and brushing teeth must come to a rolling boil for a minimum of one (1) minute.

The City’s chlorination system had a breakdown during repairs being made overnight, and some water entered the water system that may be overchlorinated followed by some water that wasn’t treated properly.

If there is a strong chlorine taste or odour in your water, do not consume and flush your cold water until there is no chlorine smell noticed.

Public Works is flushing the system and is in contact with the Interior Health Authority.

We will be taking water samples for testing and have them sent away for analysis. We will provide regular updates as more information becomes available.