UPDATE: 3:15pm Tuesday
Users of the Cedar Heights Water System need to continue critical water conservation measures until further notice, according to the Columbia Shuswap Regional District.
“Divers will be installing a replacement water pump for the deep water intake this [Tuesday] evening,” said the CSRD in a notification. “It is not known how long it will take for the repairs to be made tonight and for the system to begin functioning properly.”
The Regional District is warning it will take some time for water levels in the reservoir to stabilize.
“An update will be provided tomorrow [Wednesday] morning on the status of the pump replacement and water distribution across the system,” said the CSRD.
ORIGINAL STORY
An emerging situation for residents in Blind Bay in the Shuswap, as a growing number of them are running out of potable water.
“We have some residents who have no water on the system at all, simply because the pumping cannot get water to those homes,” said Tracy Hughes with the Columbia Shuswap Regional District. “Other folks have some water, but they’re still in a situation where extreme water conservation is required.”
Around 450 homes are impacted, following the failure of a pump supplying the Cedar Heights Water System.
Failing on Monday night, Tracy Hughes with the Columbia Shuswap Regional District says crews are working to try to restore the system, but warns it could take some time to fix.
“We understand that this is a major inconvenience to residents. What we’ve advised is for residents to fill up some water jugs if they still have water. Fill up their bath tub. They can share with their neighbors.”
A boil water advisory remains in-effect, and will remain in-place even after the system is restored.
No word yet on when that may be.
Hughes says the CSRD is looking at other, longer-term options if needed, including potentially trucking in water.