A water quality advisory was issued for the District of Kitimat water system Jan. 29, and as of press time Feb. 2 that advisory remained in effect.
A public notice from the district urges vulnerable populations, including children, pregnant women, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems, to boil water before consumption.
A Northern Health spokesperson said the advisory is precautionary in nature, and is a routine step taken when high rain or melt results in increased local stream flows. This increases water turbidity and can impact the effectiveness of water treatment.
“Since the factors that prompted the water quality advisory are at least partly based on weather conditions that contribute to stream flows and turbidity levels, it is too soon to say when the advisory might be lifted. The water system operator (the District of Kitimat) is taking steps to address the issue,: Northern Health said.
The advisory imposes a responsibility on all owners of public premises, like restaurants, to inform their patrons of this situation.
The district is working with Northern Health to monitor the situation. The advisory will remain in place until further notice.