Don’t drink the untreated water.

Interior Health is reminding residents of the risks of drinking untreated surface water from streams, lakes and rivers.

The risk arises from bacteria and parasites that can cause gastrointestinal and sometimes other severe illness.

“It is never a good idea to drink untreated surface water” says Dr. Digby Horne, Medical Health Officer with Interior Health. “Currently the risk is especially high in many parts of Interior Health due to melting snows and flooding, which are increasing levels of sediment and turbidity, as well as potentially raising the numbers of bacteria and parasites.”

He says increased levels of sediments may reduce the body’s limited natural defenses against bacteria and parasites.

All surface water should be treated before use. Interior Health established the 4-3-2-1-0 criteria for safer drinking water to help reduce the risks associated with bacteria and parasites: 4-refers to the inactivation of viruses 3-refers to the removal of parasites 2 refers to at least two treatment processes for all surface water 1 refers to maintaining a turbidity of less than 1 NTU and 0 refers to no disease causing bacteria.

The 4-3-2-1-0 criteria can often be met by using filtration systems coupled with chlorine or ultraviolet light disinfection.

Residents who are using surface water for drinking, cooking, brushing teeth or cleaning dishes should bring the water to a rapid boil for at least one minute before use, or use other approved sources such as bottled water.