Water Quality / Turbidity Index
2023-05-03 - In accordance with Interior Health’s Water Quality Notification Program the City of Kimberley has issued a WATER QUALITY ADVISORY for ALL USERS. Recent testing shows that current water quality is FAIR due to increased turbidity (cloudiness) in the water. Find more information HERE.
The City of Kimberley monitors water quality on a daily basis and assesses it according to the Turbidity Index. The Turbidity Index below is updated every weekday afternoon with the turbidity results.
TURBIDITY INDEXES
TEST DATE: June 1, 2023
MARK CREEK Water Supply: ACTIVE
Water Quality is: GOOD
Daily Average Reading: 0.461
As of April 11th, 2023 Mark Creek Water System is currently the Water Supply for Kimberley, Forest Crowne, Marysville, Purcell Golf Course, River Bend Lane, River Bend Road, River Ridge Way, Tamarack Lane and Sunflower Drive.
MATTHEW CREEK Water Supply: INACTIVE
Water Quality is: N/A
Daily Average Reading: N/A
* Please be advised that Marysville residents have been switched to the Mark Creek Water Supply as of Tuesday April 11, 2023.
What is turbidity?
Turbidity is the cloudiness or haziness of a fluid caused by large numbers of individual particles that are generally invisible to the naked eye, similar to smoke in air. The measurement of turbidity is a key test of water quality.
How much turbidity is acceptable?
Interior Health has the following ratings for turbidity levels related to water quality.
GOOD - 0 to 1 NTU
FAIR - 1 to 5 NTU
POOR - 5 NTU and above
What is a Water Quality Advisory (WQA)?
Your water supplier will issue a WQA if turbidity levels exceed 1 NTU. Children, the elderly, people with weakened immune systems, and anyone seeking additional protection will be advised to drink boiled water or a safe alternative. Ongoing information will be available on participating water suppliers’ websites and through the media.
What is a Boil Water Notice (BWN)?
Your water supplier will issue a BWN if turbidity levels exceed 5 NTU. All users will be advised to drink boiled water or a safe alternative. Ongoing information will be available on participating water suppliers’ websites and through the media.
Is turbidity a health concern?
Turbidity is not so much a health concern as an indicator of health risk. Science has proven that as turbidity increases, the risk for gastrointestinal illness also increases—particularly for at-risk populations such as newborns, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems (e.g. those with HIV/Aids, undergoing chemotherapy, or taking anti-rejection drugs following a transplant).
For more information, contact the Operations Department at 250.427.9660 or Operations@kimberley.ca.