Hedley water has been approved for consumption.
The Hedley Improvement District issued a notice Monday that water samples collected Dec. 10 and 11 were tested and now show no coliform bacteria. The Do Not Consume order was lifted Dec. 17 after the all clear from Interior Health.
“However, the water quality advisory for the Hedley Improvement District water system is still in effect due to higher than acceptable levels of arsenic,” the notice to residents stated.
Those with weakened immune systems or those wishing additional protection should take precautions when drinking, washing fruits and vegetables, making beverages or ice or brushing teeth. Boiling water with higher than regulatory arsenic in it will increase the level of arsenic so that is not advised.
Residents of Hedley shared concerns about the HID’s communication plan after news broke of the water having higher than regulated coliform bacteria in samples taken Dec. 4. Because the bacteria has to grow the results were not given to the HID until Fri., Dec. 7. Residents questioned the HID notification system which included calling vulnerable people on Friday and putting notices out on Saturday morning.
“Those people then made calls and a lot of people heard about it that way. There was a good cross-section of Hedley that received calls within an hour or two,” she said. “First thing in the morning Saturday we were down at the HID office and printing out notices and trustees along with the water employees were out going door-to-door.”
Related: Some Hedley residents upset with lack of notification of drinking water problems
Related: UPDATE: Hedley residents will be without water for at least one week
The water supply was super chlorinated by HID water officials Saturday and again Sunday and another water sample was taken to Kelowna Monday.
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