Water Quality Advisory

Please find answers to some of the more common questions about this water quality advisory below. 

What does a Water Quality Advisory mean? A Water Quality Advisory means the risk is low, however some water users are advised to take extra precautions when ingesting the water.

Who should take extra precautions? For individuals who are elderly, very young, and those with very weak immune systems or who are pregnant, the increased health risks associated with protozoan parasites can have serious implications, which makes it imperative to adhere to this Water Quality Advisory.

What should these people do? Water intended for the following uses should be brought to a full boil and cooled prior to use:

• Drinking
• Washing fruits and vegetables
• Making beverages or ice
• Brushing teeth

Alternatively, water may be obtained from another source which has been fully treated (e.g. commercially bottled water).

What is being done to improve treatment for Daybreak Point water supply?

Daybreak Point is actively working on a solution that will meet the surface water treatment objectives on a consistent basis. This will include installing filtration and UV technology, which together with the existing chlorination system, is intended to meet BC’s surface water treatment objectives.

Why is this being done now, why has it not been in place before?

Across Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH), other water systems in this situation (with a surface water source and only one reliable form of treatment) have been requested to issue Water Quality Advisories for users on these systems. In recent years, there has been a growing effort from VCH’s Regional Water Safety Committee to establish consistency of application for Water Quality Advisories. This undertaking is being done in consultation and review by VCH Medical Health Officers. Issuance of Water Quality Advisories under these circumstances is widely considered a best practice in risk management.