Greater Vernon Water → Water Quality

Water Quality

RDNO-GVW Water Quality Program

Real-time
Water produced by the Mission Hill and Duteau Creek treatment plants is automatically and continuously tested for a variety of water quality parameters in real-time.

At specific locations of the distribution system, online instrumentation indicates levels of chlorine, flow and turbidity in real-time. 

Daily / Weekly
Each source in use is monitored weekly for bacteria, temperature, turbidity, and pH. During summer months, algae levels are also monitored.

Chlorine residual levels are monitored daily by certified operators, who also perform weekly bacterial tests at designated sampling points throughout the distribution system.

Bi-Weekly
Watershed sampling is conducted bi-weekly when uplands are free of snow.

Monthly
Every month, a comprehensive source water analysis is conducted.  When combined with weekly water quality reports, this analysis forms the basis for our Monthly Quality Summary report to the Interior Health Authority (IHA). 

Quarterly
Levels of trihalomethanes (THM) are monitored at 9 locations within the distribution system.

The Regional District of North Okanagan-Greater Vernon Water (RDNO-GVW) operates a complex water system that relies on a number of raw water sources, ranging from upland lakes to valley bottom aquifers, that supplies water to approximately 45,000 users in the Greater Vernon water service area.

RDNO-GVW is committed to protecting public, environmental, and economic health through a comprehensive “source-to-tap” approach.

As envisioned by the Master Water Plan, extensive water quality upgrades were recently undertaken, most notably the Duteau Creek Water Treatment Plant.  About 95% of the utility’s annual water supply is derived from Duteau Creek and Kalamalka Lake.


Water Quality Monitoring
Together with the Interior Health Authority (IHA), RDNO-GVW is responsible for planning and developing a water quality program that encompasses water quality monitoring, treatment monitoring, and distribution maintenance.

The RDNO-GVW water quality program ensures that our potable water supply meets Canadian Drinking Water Quality Guidelines and the BC Drinking Water Protection Act.

More information:

More About Turbidity
Turbidity results from the presence of tiny particles of clay, silt, or plankton in the water that scatter a beam of light, and is measured in Nephelometric Turbidity Units (NTU).  Typically, a turbidity of less than 5 NTU is not visible to the naked eye. The Duteau Creek Water Treatment Plant reduces turbidity to below 1.5 NTU, 95% of the time. The addition of Stage 2 (Filtration) will ensure turbidity below 1.5 NTU, 100% of the time.

To meet IHA requirements, water suppliers must alert customers served by an unfiltered surface water source whenever turbidity levels exceed 1 NTU. Check Notifications to find the turbidity index and alert level for your water source.


Please direct enquiries to:
Phone:  250-550-3700
Fax:      250-550-3701
E-mail:  engineering@rdno.ca