Some Vanderhoof residents spent the long weekend under a boil water advisory after a sample from Northside Water Service tested positive for trace amounts of E. coli bacteria.
The private company was alerted to the positive test on Saturday morning and began alerting its customers, all located on the north side of the Nechako River. Because the Vancouver lab that does the testing was closed for the long weekend, no further samples could be examined.
Northside Water spokeswoman Anna Manwaring said another sample was to be flown from Prince George to Vancouver on Monday night to be tested on Tuesday morning.
The cause of the positive E. coli test is unknown and Northside is not aware of any of its customers becoming ill as a result of consuming the way.
Approximately 200 customers, representing about 500 people, get their water from Northside, including St. John Hospital and the Stuart Nechako Manor residential care facility.
Northern Health didn't report any disruptions to its operations at either facility as a result of the boil water order.
The vast majority of residents get their water from the District of Vanderhoof's municipal supply, which did not test positive for the bacteria.
Once they found out about the positive test, Northside company officials got the word out about the boil water advisory by contacting local media, going door-to-door and using social media.
Manwaring said the timing of the positive test was unfortunate due to the Thanksgiving weekend, but she said the customers have been very understanding.
