Much need repairs to the District of Hudson's Hope's water treatment plant are expected to begin this coming weekend.
Specialized plastic parts for the aerator are scheduled to arrive on Thursday.
Although it's believed it should only take a week to replace the components, it could be up to a month more before water might be safe to drink.
“After we are able to start the water treatment plant, start of flow water through it, it's going to take some time for the distribution system to get cleaned out,” said Mayor Dave Heiberg.
“So, we have to do a number of things to make sure the water is going to be potable at the end of it.”
Northern Health will monitor, he added, both in the short-term and long-term, to ensure it's meeting health specifications.
“Right now, the water going to the distribution system for the affected residents is on a three-inch bypass...what they call a blend line. It's filling up our reservoir and seems to be holding its own even with the hot weather.”
Heiberg said once the water treatment plant parts are installed and it's fired up, water will be re-directed back through the plant.
“It'll be treated water, but the water in the distribution system hasn't been treated. So, we have to flush that out to a point where Northern Health is happy with the test results. At that stage, we can address the do not consume and boil water orders.”
For the district, though, the latest repairs only seem to be a stop gap measure.
“The community is not happy with the quality of the water,” said Heiberg. “It's been made very clear. Council and staff aren't either.”
“We've been looking at alternate solutions for a long time, at permanent, sustainable solutions. That's our end goal.”
Heiberg said those concerns will, again, be brought forward Sept. 9 when the district meets with senior officials of B.C. Hydro.
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