UV got clean water

Photo: Wayne Moore - Castanet

Kelowna's water utility is now compliant with Interior Health regulations.

The city officially opened its Adams Reservoir UV disinfection facility in the Upper Mission to mark World Water Day, Tuesday.

"What makes this accomplishment and investment even more significant is that it's the final step in a long-term process to use UV treatment for all City of Kelowna intakes, ensuring our system meets the highest of health standards," said Mayor Colin Basran.

"That's a high standard we are proud of."

The $4.5-million facility eliminates cryptosporidium from the water using ultraviolet light treatment. The water is then treated with chlorine before being sent to a reservoir above the plant.

The plant will treat and store 12,000 cubic metres of water a day. That's about 10 per cent of the plant's capacity.

The treatment system was investigated after the city's cryptosporidium outbreak in 1996. The city partnered with the University of Alberta to study the system before it was first installed several years ago at the Poplar Point intake plant.

The Adams reservoir supplies water to about 9,000 customers. Water is pumped from Okanagan Lake to an intermediate booster station, then to the plant, where it is treated and distributed.

In all, 64,000 customers receive water from the city's water utility.

"On world water day, I'm particularly proud to demonstrate how serious we are about making sure the Kelowna water utility is safe, secure and well managed," said Basran.

"I am proud to say the city's water utility has not had a water quality advisory since 1996."