After a month of precautionary advisories, the District of Kitimat has lifted its water quality advisory as of Oct. 25, with officials confirming improved clarity in the Kitimat River. “We’re happy to say our active Water Quality Advisory has now ended,” a district spokesperson announced, acknowledging the community’s patience throughout the advisory period.
The initial boil water notice was issued on Sept. 24 due to elevated turbidity following heavy rainfall that caused high streamflows along B.C.'s North Coast. Kitimat, along with Terrace and Prince Rupert, saw record rainfall during this period, leading the River Forecast Centre to issue a High Streamflow Advisory.
The notice was downgraded to a water quality advisory on Oct. 10, indicating that most residents could resume regular water use, although Northern Health recommended that vulnerable individuals, including children, the elderly, pregnant women, and those with weakened immune systems, continue boiling water. Recent reports confirmed that streamflow levels, which initially reached between two- and five-year return intervals, have since stabilised, enabling the district to restore unrestricted water use across the community.
