Kimberley has been under a water quality advisory since the end of April. A water quality advisory means the City and Interior Health recommend that children, the elderly, people with weakened immune systems and anyone seeking additional protection drink boiled water or a safe alternative.
All Kimberley residents are currently on the Mark Creek water system, and turbidity levels are rising, given the recent rains.
Water quality advisories come into effect as soon as turbidity reads fair, which is in the 1 to 5 NTU range. For a great part of the time since the water quality advisory went into effect, levels have been just over 1 NTU. However, last Thursday, June 4, the index was reading 2.9 NTU and residents may have noticed some cloudiness in their water.
Turbidity occurs when fine suspended particles of clay, silt, organic and inorganic matter, plankton, and other microscopic organisms are picked up by water as it passes through a watershed.
You can keep up to date on turbidity levels and water quality at kimberley.ca The City checks for turbidity levels daily.