Courtenay, BC - Water quality testing and modelling, along with an investigation into the May 26 sewer leak are continuing, with the Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) anticipating an update on the estuary’s water safety by the end of this week.
Water Safety
The CVRD has been completing extensive water quality testing since the day of the event, focusing first on the immediate harbour area around the leak, and then expanding to further offshore and recreational beach areas.
Here’s what we know:
- Initial test results from May 26-28 showed contamination was localized to the east side of the Comox Harbour Authority (between breakwater and foreshore), and testing points further out were not showing contamination yet.
- However, wastewater will continue to disperse from the immediate area, so modelling is underway to understand how the contaminated water is moving. The results of these dispersion models will guide CVRD advisories about water use and are expected by end of week (June 5).
- Testing/modelling work has been active since the day of the event. Testing requires at least 72 hours to receive raw results, and a series of completed tests are needed to develop accurate models. Extensive effort is underway to provide the public and businesses in the area with information about water safety as soon as possible.
- The CVRD is working with all relevant Provincial and Federal authorities to share collected data.
Incident Investigation
The cause of the leak is currently under investigation. More information will be shared with the community when available, however, there is no current time estimate for those results to be available.
“While the immediate threat of the spill has been resolved, there is much more work to be done. We understand that many are eager for results of this testing/modelling, and we are committed to sharing information as soon as we’re able,” said Charlie Gore, Senior Manager of Capital Projects Delivery.
To follow along for updates, visit www.comoxvalleyrd.ca/sewageleak
The Comox Valley Regional District is a partnership of three electoral areas and three municipalities operating on the unceded traditional territory of the K’ómoks First Nation, the traditional keepers of the land. The members of the regional district work collaboratively on providing sustainable services for the benefit of the diverse urban and rural areas of the Comox Valley.
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