Image: Mike Vanden Bosch / Pattison Media / The District of Hope has issued an urgent water quality advisory following recent tests that revealed the presence of E. coli bacteria in the water supply. The advisory was issued on Friday, November 17. 
District of Hope

District of Hope issues urgent water quality advisory

Nov 18, 2023 | 8:03 AM

HOPE — The District of Hope has issued an urgent water quality advisory following recent tests that revealed the presence of E. coli bacteria in the water supply.

According to a public warning issued Friday, November 17, the district urges residents to boil or treat water before drinking or using it.

“Recent testing has revealed the presence of E. coli bacteria in our water supply, dated November 17, 2023, within the highlighted area on the attached map. This bacterial contamination poses health risks, especially for vulnerable groups such as infants, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems,” the advisory stated.

Image: District of Hope / Area under a boil water advisory in Hope.

The district said it is actively collaborating with Fraser Health to resolve the issue swiftly, and urges residents to use only boiled or bottled water for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing ready-to-eat foods, washing dishes or preparing infant formula.

In a statement issued to residents, the district says the community usually enjoys chemical-free water. However when the system is compromised, the district moves quickly to restore safe drinking water. It says its utilities team is treating the affected water system with chlorine, a shock treatment that will continue until three consecutive negative results are obtained.

Testing is being conducted by Fraser Health and an independent lab.

The district went on to say Brita-type water filters will not remove microbial contaminants.

The advisory is not applicable to the areas of Silver Creek, Lake of the Woods, east Kawkawa Lake and any private water systems.

The district said in a Facebook post that it understands the need for transparency whenever issues around public water quality are at stake.

“We understand the importance of transparency in our efforts to maintain the highest standards of water quality within Hope District,” the district stated. “We’d like to provide you with a comprehensive update on our water monitoring process to ensure a clearer understanding. Our commitment to quality is a weekly affair. We diligently sample all water systems, forwarding those samples to Fraser Health for rigorous analysis. This forms a fundamental part of our ongoing Water Quality Monitoring program, a continuous effort to safeguard your access to safe, clean water.”

The district said recent events prompted immediate action from municipal utilities staff.

“Following a positive sample in a specific area, thorough measures were taken, including system flushing and subsequent tests, leading to the issuance of a boil water advisory as a precautionary measure.”