Water quality is strictly regulated through Interior Health Authority and the District of Lake Country takes the provision of drinking water to the community very seriously.
Frequently asked questions
You can see water source details on the District of Lake Country MyWater GIS map which is linked on the website.
Approximately 2,800
Approximately 1,300
Approximately 290
Throughout the year turbidity of the water sources fluctuates between good and fair. Due to variability of these fluctuations, and as a precaution, these water sources are kept on a year round water quality advisory.
The water quality advisory for Beaver Lake and Oyama Lake has been in effect since the mid 2000's.
Water from Beaver Lake and Oyama Lake source is screened to remove any large particulate and is disinfected with chlorine. This process is carefully monitored with instrumentation and staff is immediately notified in the event of an issue.
When a water treatment facility is constructed to process the source water.
Water quality reports for all District water sources can be found in Reference Documents. Full reports on the water chemistry and quality of all District of Lake Country drinking water sources can be viewed on the monthly water quality reports and annual reports.
Guidelines for Canadian Water Quality must be followed as a condition of the District's Permit to Operate. Interior Health is responsible for overseeing and ensuring guidelines are met. The District of Lake Country has a comprehensive water quality monitoring plan and reports directly to the Interior Health Authority.
What you choose to do is a personal decision. If you are concerned about your drinking water, a simple and cost-effective solution is to boil your drinking water.
Turbidity is a measure of how clear or cloudy the water is and the "NTU" is the unit it is measured in. Particles can interfere with the disinfection process and may reduce chlorines effectiveness. Turbidity in the good and fair range are invisible to the human eye.
Health risks increase as turbidity rises, particularly for at-risk populations. Contaminants such as viruses, bacteria and parasites can attach themselves to the suspended particles in turbid water. Although the water is treated with chlorine the particles can interfere with disinfection.
Media coverage of THM's has been top of mind for many water customers. Please take a moment to review details and facts on mitigating THM's in Lake Country water sources.
Yes, view the District's Water Master Plan [PDF/18.2MB]. The Lake Country Water Master Plan identifies strategically staged initiatives. As a result of having a Water Master Plan, the District of Lake Country has been able to access federal grant funding and has taken consistent action on phased water infrastructure projects.
The Water Master Plan is being revised beginning in 2022. Public engagement is solicited and encouraged throughout the process. Subscribe to District news to ensure you are notified of engagement opportunities.
Significant investments have been made in improving water quality in Lake Country. One such recent investment has been the construction of pumping facilities to interconnect the systems in order to pump Okanagan Lake or Kalamalka Lake water into the Beaver Lake and Oyama Lake distribution systems as required. The existing water master plan sets the rates so that a treatment facility would be built over time in an affordable manner for the community.
As part of the 2022 Water Master Plan refresh, a roadmap is being developed on how to continually improve water quality for Beaver Lake and Oyama Lake water source. For more information and to join the conversation on the Water Master Plan refresh go to Let's Talk-Lake Country.
The tap is turned on seasonally and provides water from Okanagan Lake.
No.
Okanagan Lake
Major Projects webpage is where you will find information on projects happening in Lake Country.
A carbon filter can certainly help. However each filter is different and you would need to research your filter and fridge type to make that decision.
Yes. However if your pet has health issues and you want to be cautious simply boil tap water prior to your pet drinking it.
Water utilities have transitioned through many different materials used for water conveyance pipes over many, many years. One material, used for a brief period in Canada during the 1940's through to the 1970's, was cement containing asbestos. This material has not been used in over 50 years. More information from the Canadian Water and Wastewater Association.