Stock photo: Pixabay
Sophie Gray
Local Journalism Initiative
Water sampling test results from Agricultural Irrigation System 9 came back negative for e-coli on Friday afternoon.
In a town newsletter, the Town of Osoyoos announced that they undertook system flushing and chlorine residual confirmations before retesting water samples after levels of e-coli were detected in system 9’s water supply on April 16.
The new water samples found no detectable levels of e-coli.
The town reminds those who are part of Agricultural Irrigation System 8 and 9 that they must still boil their water before use.
“Bacterial sampling is part of a monitoring program, not an assurance that all the water is or is not safe to drink. Osoyoos Lake is a surface water source that is open to contamination from pathogens from a variety of human and animal activities, and at fluctuating levels. Effective and consistent treatment to reduce the risks associated with bacteria, viruses and protozoa is required for all surface water sources,” said the Town of Osoyoos in a statement published to their website.
Further information about the water testing and systems is available by contacting the Operational Services Department at [email protected].
