How is our drinking water treated to keep it safe?

Because the source for our drinking water has naturally low sediment and mineral content, The City only disinfects our water at two ultraviolet light facilities and three chlorination stations.

How would people be notified if a water quality problem arose?

If the quality of our drinking water presented a health risk, the City would immediately issue a notice to the community through the media and other available resources. The City would coordinate with all available agencies such as Vancouver Island Health Authority, the Strathcona Regional District, BC Hydro and the Fire Department to ensure the community is aware of any health risks.

How do I know my water is safe to drink? 

To ensure our drinking water is clean and safe to drink, the City monitors the source waters and the distribution system with both online instrumentation at points of disinfection and a comprehensive sampling program. Weekly samples are taken at various locations throughout the City and submitted to the BC Centre for Disease Control for bacterial analysis. As well, the City tests for water quality according to the BC Drinking Water Protection Act and Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality  (See more information here Health Canada)

Why does my water sometimes look brown?

Brown water from your tap is usually caused by a change to the normal flow in a watermain. The change can occur from opening or closing a watermain valve, opening a fire hydrant, or a watermain break. The brown colour is from normal sediment in the pipes coming off the bottom and flowing with the water to your tap. Try flushing out the brown water by running your cold water for 10 to 15 minutes. If the brown water doesn’t clear, it may be caused by old, rusty pipes inside the building or from a failing hot water tank. If you have ongoing problems with brown water, please contact Dogwood Operations Centre Monday to Friday from 8am to 4:30 pm at 250-287-4033.  

Why does my water sometimes look “milky” and “cloudy”?

Cloudy water is usually the result of air in the watermains. Air may be introduced into the mains during repairs or from opening fire hydrants. Although it is temporary, it may take several hours for the air to dissipate. To check, fill a glass of water and leave it on the counter for a few minutes. The water should clear. This type of cloudy water is safe to drink.

Do we have fluoride in our water?

The community voted to discontinue the addition of fluoride to drinking water in a 1993 referendum. We suggest you consult your dentist if you require fluoride treatment.

Do I need to buy a water softener?

What is the hardness of our drinking water?
No, Campbell River’s drinking water is soft at 22 mg/L. Water is considered soft at 60mg/L, hard at 200mg/L and unacceptable at 500mg/L for domestic purposes. Hard water is a result of dissolved minerals in water as it passes through soil and rock. Usually ground water is harder than surface water. Water softeners are available to reduce the hardness of water.

Why do my toilet and bathroom tiles sometimes turn pink? 

According to the American Water Works Association (AWWA), the pink residue is likely associated with naturally occurring airborne bacteria that  produces a pinkish film and sometimes a dark gray film, on surfaces that are regularly moist, including toilet bowls, showerheads, sink drains and tiles. The problem is more common in humid regions like Campbell River. In many cases, the pinkish film appears during and after new construction or remodeling activities. The dirt and dust stirred up from the work probably contains the bacteria and makes it airborne. The best solution to keep these surfaces free from the bacterial film is regular cleaning.

Is there arsenic in the water?

The City tests for arsenic in the distribution system on a quarterly basis, and there is no presence of arsenic in the drinking water.

What is the pH of our water? 

The pH scale ranges between 0 – 14. The lower end of the scale is acidic, the higher end is alkaline, and 7 is neutral. City of Campbell River drinking water has an average of 7.08 pH.