The ongoing problem of uranium in well water in Faulder is back.
The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen issued a water quality advisory for the region while the resin that removes the uranium is replaced.
The existing ion exchange resin for the Meadow Valley aquifer, which Faulder homes tap into, has become fouled over time. Removing and cleaning the resin is a complex process the RDOS expects to take several weeks.
Over the replacement period the RDOS will be chlorinating the Faulder water supply as a result.
Interior Health is recommending that people in the area be aware of potential health concerns. While radiation is not a concern at the concentration levels detected, people with known kidney disease and anyone with concerns are advised to find alternative sources of clean water.
The release from the RDOS notes that boiling the water will not lower the uranium level and may result in increasing the concentration of uranium as water evaporates during boiling.
All business owners and operators of bed and breakfasts, landlords and public facilities operators are responsible for informing customers of the water quality advisory.
The uranium in the water supply has been an issue for many years, and likely dates back to the region’s ancient geological history as a volcanically active area.
In more recent years, the area was put under warning in 2007 by Interior Health after Health Canada lowered the acceptable uranium concentration in drinking water.
READ ALSO: Solutions to Uranium problem studied
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