The Vancouver Island Health Authority (VIHA) regulates the drinking water in the City of Campbell River through a Drinking Water Officer. Water suppliers must comply with the BC Drinking Water Protection Act and Regulation to maintain their operating permits. The Government of BC adopted the Canadian Drinking Water Quality Guidelines. The City's water continues to meet the requirements set out in the guidelines.
Treatment and Monitoring
Learn more about the ways water is treated and monitored through our water system:
Four times a year, the City tests water at four locations in the distribution system. This water is tested against a number of parameters.
Bacterial Sampling
As required by the BC Drinking Water Protection Regulation, the City collects water samples to test for Escherichia Coli (E. Coli) and Total Coliform. These are indicator species for possible contamination. Samples are taken weekly throughout the distribution system. They are then sent to the British Columbia Centre for Disease Control for analysis. Lab results are sent directly to the City and VIHA.
Please see the VIHA website for bacterial sample results - VIHA Sample Results.
Water Quality FAQs
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.
Brown water from your tap is usually caused by a change to the normal flow in a water main. 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 8 a.m to 4 p.m. at 250-287-4033.
Cloudy water is often the result of air in the water mains. 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 with water and leave it on the counter for a few minutes. The water should clear. This type of cloudy water is safe to drink.
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.
No, Campbell River’s drinking water is soft at 22 mg/L.
According to the American Water Works Association (AWWA), the pink residue is likely associated with naturally occurring airborne bacteria. It is most likely to occur on surfaces that are regularly moist, including toilet bowls, shower heads, 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 remodelling 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.
The City tests for arsenic in the distribution system on a quarterly basis. There is no presence of arsenic in the drinking 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.
