The heavy rainfalls over the last week are affecting the Lower Mainland in more ways than just disrupting commutes.
Cloudy drinking water is now a possible side effect of the harsh weather we’ve been experiencing.
Over the last five days there have been more than 100 millimetres of rainfall on the North Shore Mountains – where Metro Vancouver’s reservoirs are located – according to Greg Pearce, Forecaster Technologist for Environment Canada.
This could cause suspended clay or organic materials to be washed into the reservoirs, which causes the cloudiness – or turbidity – in the tap water.
The Metro Vancouver area has been given a rainfall warning by Environment Canada, meaning that rainfall could reach 50 mm over a 24-hour period, said Pearce.
Metro Vancouver is taking precautionary measures by increasing disinfection levels in the water because the materials that cause turbidity aren’t necessarily unhealthy but can interfere with the disinfection process, according to Bill Morrell, spokesperson for Metro Vancouver.
Metro Vancouver will post updates on their website, and suggest that people who are concerned put aside a supply of tap water in clean containers.
“Realistically we have been quite fortunate,” Morrell said.
