Water from Holland Lake was accidentally used through human error, leading to a four day boil water advisory for Ladysmith and surround areas. (Town of Ladysmith)

By Alex Rawnsley

BOIL WATER ADVISORY

‘We turned the wrong tap:’ human error blamed for Ladysmith boil water advisory

Mar 11, 2020 | 2:37 PM

LADYSMITH — Human error is the primary cause behind a four-day boil water advisory in Ladysmith and the surrounding area last week.

The town, Diamond Improvement District and Stz’uminus First Nation were all placed under a boil water advisory beginning Thursday, Mar. 5 through to Monday, Mar. 9.

Guillermo Ferrero, Ladysmith’s CAO, told NanaimoNewsNOW elevated turbidity levels were detected in their reservoir water supply coming from the Chicken Ladder intake, which delivers water from nearby Holland Lake.

“We turned the wrong tap and put water in the reservoir from the Chicken Ladder intake that contained just over (one unit) of turbidity,” Ferraro said. “For safety we worked with Island Health to issue the boil water advisory.”

Island Health regulations state below one unit constitutes safe, clear drinking water. Source water from Chicken Ladder was between one and two units over the weekend.

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“Once in a while we need to draw from Chicken Ladder,” Ferraro said. “Historically in the winter time that system has elevated levels of turbidity…not very high but above the recommended level.”

Holland Lake and the Chicken Ladder intake are the primary water source for the reservoir in the summer once turbidity levels drop naturally. Stocking Lake is used during the winter months.

Ferraro said a new water filtration plant currently under construction in the area should prevent these situations occurring again.

“It would virtually eliminate the possibility of having turbidity in the water,” Ferraro said. “We’re hoping the by the end of the month or the beginning of April we’ll have substantial completion…we’re pretty close.”

alex.rawnsley@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @alexrawnsley