Osoyoos water advisory enters sixth week over elevated manganese
Osoyoos has issued repeated updates since July 7, but latest notice does not provide new manganese test results
Osoyoos and Osoyoos Lake are seen from a distance. The Town’s water quality advisory over elevated manganese has remained in effect since July 7.
Photo by Lovepreet Romana
OSOYOOS — A water quality advisory over elevated manganese in Osoyoos drinking water has now entered its sixth week, with the Town's latest update saying the advisory remains in effect.
The Town of Osoyoos first issued the advisory July 7 after manganese in the drinking water system was measured between 0.125 and 0.159 milligrams per litre.
Health Canada's maximum acceptable concentration for manganese in drinking water is 0.12 mg/L.
Since the advisory was issued, the Town has posted updates dated July 15, July 22, July 28, Aug. 4 and most recently Aug. 11, saying staff continue to monitor the system and work with Interior Health.
The Aug. 11 update does not provide new manganese test results or indicate whether concentrations have increased or decreased since July 7. The Town's advisory continues to list the original range of 0.125 to 0.159 mg/L.
The advisory applies to users of the Town of Osoyoos water system, including Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen Area A customers connected through Water Systems 8 and 9.
Health Canada says manganese occurs naturally in the environment and is generally found at higher concentrations in groundwater than surface water.
While manganese is an essential nutrient, long-term exposure to elevated concentrations in drinking water can pose a health concern. Health Canada's guideline is based on infants as the most sensitive population.
The federal agency says short-term exposure to manganese concentrations slightly above the guideline is unlikely to cause negative health effects in adults and older children.
During the advisory, residents are advised to use another safe water source when preparing infant formula.
Boiling water does not remove manganese and can increase its concentration as water evaporates.
Health Canada says bathing and showering in water containing manganese above the drinking-water guideline is considered safe because manganese is not absorbed through the skin or inhaled through water vapour.
Residents who notice discoloured water or sediment are advised to run a cold-water tap or garden hose until the water clears and to check water before doing laundry to reduce the possibility of staining.
Longer-term water concerns
The current advisory comes as Osoyoos is already examining major changes to its drinking-water system.
The Town currently relies on a network of groundwater wells and has identified manganese, ammonia, organic material, aging infrastructure and limited capacity for future growth among the challenges facing the existing system.
Osoyoos has been evaluating Osoyoos Lake as a potential long-term drinking-water source.
Results from a pilot treatment program were presented to council June 9. The Town says the testing confirmed the lake could provide a reliable long-term water source when paired with appropriate treatment.
The next phase of the project includes preliminary design work, more detailed cost estimates, funding and financial planning, and further work on water licensing and intake infrastructure.
For now, the manganese advisory remains in effect until further notice.
The Town says another update will be provided when new information becomes available.
