EPCOR Ends Boil Water Notice

WHITE ROCK, BC, Sept. 1 /CNW/ - Effective immediately, the Boil Water Notice for the City of White Rock is rescinded.

Fraser Health Medical Health Officer Dr. Elizabeth Brodkin has confirmed for EPCOR that the water in household and commercial systems is safe to drink and use.

EPCOR customers in White Rock and some in South Surrey affected by the August 20 notice can stop boiling water prior to drinking or cooking, and resume normal water handling practices.

The automated telephone message system will be used to inform those customers whose phone numbers are contained in EPCOR's billing database.

Customers responsible for other users (such as apartment managers responsible for tenants) will be directed to share this information.

EPCOR and Fraser Health thank White Rock residents and businesses for their understanding, their compliance with the boil water requirements, and their assistance in sharing information with their fellow residents, customers and visitors.

Residential customers should:

    
    -  Flush all water-using fixtures for 1 minute. Flush means run taps
    -  Run all cold water faucets for 1 minute before using the water
    -  Drain and flush ice-making systems on their refrigerator
    -  Drain and refill hot water heaters set below 45 degrees C (normal
       setting is 60 degrees C)
    

Commercial customers should:

    
    -  Flush all water-using fixtures for 1 minute
    -  Run all cold water faucets and drinking fountains for 1 minute before
       using the water
    -  Drain all cisterns, and flush with clean water
    -  Drain and flush all ice-making systems
    -  Backwash pool filters and change media (filters) or water
    -  Run water softeners through a regeneration cycle
    -  Drain and refill hot water heaters set below 45 degrees C (normal
       setting is 60 degrees C)
    -  Clean and disinfect all shared toys and diapering areas
    -  Run food spraying sprinklers for 1 minute before using the water
    -  Clean and disinfect all counters
    

Customers may notice a slight chlorine odour in White Rock water because disinfection will continue until EPCOR completes upgrades to the Merklin reservoirs. These upgrades may take several weeks.

EPCOR's investigation identified reservoirs as the likely source of contamination and these have been drained, inspected and disinfected. Although the cause has not been conclusively identified, there was some microscopic evidence of contamination by birds.

This incident will be reviewed by EPCOR and Fraser Health to identify ways to prevent contamination from again affecting the water supply. Water users and the City of White Rock will have an opportunity to provide input into that process.

Members of the public who have general questions can call EPCOR at 604-536-6112. Further information, including FAQs, is available at www.epcor.ca/WhiteRock.

There are no indications to date from physician visits, hospital visits or provincial lab tests of illnesses associated with water quality. Individuals who are concerned about their personal health can speak with a HealthLinkBC nurse by calling 8-1-1, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Further health information is available at www.healthlinkbc.ca.

A media availability featuring representatives from EPCOR, Fraser Health and the City of White Rock is planned for 11:30 a.m. at the White Rock Community Centre (15154 Russell Avenue, White Rock). A separate Media Advisory will be issued for this event.

For further information: Media contacts: EPCOR White Rock Media Relations: Scott Lundy, 604-837-2750; Fraser Health: 604-450-7881 (pager)