Installation of the new UV treatment system in the CVRD.
An interim ultraviolet treatment system that is expected to reduce boil water notices has been installed ahead of schedule at the Comox Valley Regional District’s chlorination station.
Officials said installation of the temporary system, which was not supposed to be operational until February, was finished on Jan. 19. This helped the Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) avoid a boil water notice over the weekend. The district said overall, up to 80 per cent of boil water notices will be avoided with the temporary system.
The regional district is waiting for changes to its operating permit, but due to the weather, Island Health gave the CVRD temporary permission to use the system.
“This is an excellent example of our dedicated project team working diligently to minimize impacts during an extremely rainy period in the watershed,” I would like to thank all Comox Valley residents and businesses for their patience as we worked towards this solution.” Bob Wells, chair of the CVRD water committee, said in a statement.
Island Health is expected to issue amended operating guidelines for the Comox Valley Water System in the next few weeks. The guidelines will allow the district to contiue to use the UV treatment until the CVRD’s new water treatment system is completed in 2021. The district said this new filtration system will eliminate boil water notices that are turbidity related.
The new Comox Valley water treatment system is estimated to cost $110.6 million. The UV equipment will be moved to the new water treatment facility once it’s done.
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