We understand that the closure of the Boundary Lake Water Station has raised concerns and questions within our community. We want to provide you with clear and detailed information about what happened and what we are doing to fix it.
What caused the closure?
On August 14, 2024, our water supplier experienced an equipment outage that stopped the flow of water to our treatment facility. During this time, a water truck, without permission, tried to take water from a connection point.
When the truck opened its valves, a chemical called a hydrocarbon-based corrosion inhibitor (RE33692CRW) flowed backward from the truck into our water line. This happened because there was no water pressure in the system at that moment. When the supplier’s system started working again, this chemical entered our raw water treatment system.
Our operators immediately noticed a strong smell and shut down the facility. Importantly, no contaminated water was distributed to the public. The chemical did not reach the water that was treated in the pipes or the water in the tanks.
Why the long delay in reopening?
Since this chemical is not used in water treatment and cannot be safely removed by simply flushing the system, health officials and our team decided the safest option was to replace the entire treatment system.
We have taken steps to prevent this from happening again. We have removed the connection point involved in the contamination and the supplier has added new security measures, like access code locks.
We always keep essential parts like pumps and valves on hand for emergencies and regular maintenance. However, the full replacement treatment system is a specialized piece of equipment that is custom-made and had to be ordered from an out-of-province supplier, which has caused delays.
We want to reassure you
- The treated water supply was never contaminated
- We have taken action to ensure that no similar contaminants can enter the raw water treatment process
- We are working as quickly as possible to reopen the station
We know the delay in reopening the Boundary Lake Water Station has been frustrating, and we sincerely regret the inconvenience it has caused residents. The Peace River Regional District appreciates your patience and are committed to providing updates as new information becomes available.
How to get more information
If you have any questions about the water quality, the system or the closure, please contact our Environmental Services Department at environmental.services@prrd.bc.ca or 250-784-3200.
