A group of residents is calling for increased transparency and better communication regarding water quality and testing at the Rose Valley Water Treatment Plant (RVWTP), citing concerns over manganese levels and potential health risks.
At the council鈥檚 Tuesday (Nov. 12) meeting, the group asked for an independent review of the city鈥檚 2014 Water Utility Master Plan specifically examining the selection of the Rose Valley Reservoir (RVR) for source drinking water.
Group spokesperson Scott Beaton said his review of the, supported the decision to select the reservoir despite evidence the consultant provided showing it would not meet the standards it set.
Higher than acceptable manganese levels in the reservoir over the past few months have been blamed on the lingering effects of the McDougall Creek wildfire in August 2023 and seasonal changes. Beaton agreed the wildfire made the problem worse, but pointed to testing he found showing the water exceeded targets much earlier.
鈥淢anganese levels in the reservoir exceeded guidelines every summer since regular testing began in 2018,鈥� he added.
Beaton noted that when complaints about the water were made this year, it took six weeks from the time the first tests were done to identify manganese in the water, and another three weeks before the city told residents that it was manganese.
鈥淲hen we spoke to staff about that, they mentioned they were waiting for follow-up testing to ensure that鈥檚 what it was,鈥� Beaton said. 鈥淏ut in the meantime, they felt that they were comfortable telling the community that the water was safe.鈥�
The to be healthy, but that too much manganese in drinking water can lead to some adverse health effects. Beaton also raised concerns over disinfection byproducts, specifically Trihalomethanes (THMs), with testing at RVWTP, since February, exceeding the maximum concentrations outlined in Canadian Drinking Water Guidelines.
THMs can form when the chlorine used to disinfect drinking water reacts with naturally occurring organic matter. One Trihalomethane commonly found in drinking water is chloroform which is considered a possible carcinogen in humans. However, this is based on limited evidence in experimental animals, and inadequate evidence in humans .
The city was treating source water entering the RVWTP with additional chlorine but ended the practice in October. The city has repeatedly assured residents that water from RVWTP remains safe to drink, and staff have cited regular testing and compliance with health guidelines, but Beaton and other residents remain skeptical.
鈥淲e need an independent and transparent review of the master plan,鈥� Beaton continued. 鈥淲e must include source water and drinking water quality health experts in that process, and their voices must be heard by the public.鈥�
Councillor Rick de Jong supported the call for greater transparency.
"I wholeheartedly, without reservation, agree with you," de Jong said. "I do believe staff are taking steps to do better on that front. That鈥檚 the way forward.鈥�
Coun. Jason Friesen reiterated water at RVWTP is tested regularly.
鈥淚t鈥檚 meeting guidelines that are put out by Interior Health, by Canadian Drinking Standards鈥nd other groups more knowledgeable than I am," he said. "If they鈥檙e coming back and saying this water is safe to drink...what more do we need so that our residents trust our water?"
Mayor Gord Milsom pointed out the RVWTP continues to work well and commissioning will continue into next year.
鈥淲ithout the plant, the challenges this summer and fall with manganese, taste, odour, and colour would have been a much worse situation.鈥�
Milsom added that staff would bring recommendations on potential solutions for the source water issues as early as the Nov. 26 council meeting.
A city media release sent out later Tuesday stated that if at any time testing indicates the water is not safe a water quality advisory is issued, in consultation with Interior Health, to the public and media.
