Photo: Kate Bouey

The District of Coldstream will be picking up sandbags.

The District of Coldstream will be providing curb side sandbag pick up for the properties along the Kalamalka Lake that were affected by flooding, from July 31 to Aug. 14.

Affected roads include: Westkal, Kalavista, Kirkland, Tebo, Postill and Kalamalka. Residents and businesses are asked to place sandbags along the curb by 7 a.m. each day.

A final cleanup will be conducted on August 14th.

The district advises that it is the responsibility of the property owner to dispose of any sandbags not placed at curbside and picked up by that time.

A district release states: “Under no circumstances should sandbags be emptied on beaches or into any creeks, wetlands, or other watercourses as outlined in the Water Sustainability Act. The impact can destroy fish habitat and affect drinking water, infrastructure, flood control, navigation and recreational activities. Please report violators to Natural Resource at 1-877-952-7277 (option 2) toll free or #7277 on a cell phone.”

Sand bags may also be dropped off free of charge at the RDNO recycling and disposal facilities as long as they are not mixed with any other substance, garbage or recycling materials. Customers must report to the scale prior to disposing of the sandbags.

In most instances sand used for flood protection in the District of Coldstream can be treated as clean soil and used as general fill, substitute aggregate in construction applications or blended into gardens and lawns.

People are asked to wear gloves and proper footwear when handling sandbags and to wash exposed body parts and clothing after handing them.