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Boil-water order lifted for downtown Penticton

Clean test results mean no more concerns with tap water after pipe repairs
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Work crews check for damage to a section of the roadway at Main Street and Wade Avenue following the break in a water main that happened about 10 a.m. Feb. 1. Sections of both streets were closed to traffic for awhile and at least one building was flooded.

A boil water advisory for much of Downtown Penticton was lifted Thursday afternoon, after clean results for water quality tests.

The City of Penticton lifted the boil order in consultation with Interior Health.

Concerns about cross-contamination from a sewer line near the water line that ruptured at Main Street and Wade Avenue on Feb. 1 prompted the advisory and warning for about 200 properties and 800 people.

Daily testing and regular monitoring of the system has been ongoing since the notice was put in place, and now, both the city and Interior Health are confident that the water quality of the system is safely within drinking water guidelines.

City crews were called to the site around 10 a.m. Sunday, as water flooded through the downtown core from the broken line.

At the height of the break a torrent of muddy liquid travelled along the surface of Wade, to Martin Street and as far north as Nanaimo Avenue.

The boil water advisory caused problems for several restaurants in the area, some of which had trouble obtaining enough boiled or bottled water to see them through.

The city apologized for the inconvenience to  residents and businesses.

“We understand the advisory has been inconvenient for those affected, but water quality and customer excellence is very important. We appreciate the community understanding and support,” said Mayor Andrew Jakubeit.

Meanwhile, public works crews were called the scene of a second water main break in three days on Feb. 4, this one happening on Carmi Avenue just east of Main Street.

City officials indicated the 25-millimetre line failed about 11:15 a.m. No property damage was reported and workers were quickly able to isolate the problem and turn off the water to facilitate repairs.

About 25 residences were affected and the work was completed in several hours.

No boil water notice was issued, though some residents reported having brown water from the taps.

The city advised the brown water was safe to drink and was just the  result of a large volume of water escaping from the system stirring up pipe sediment. Residents are advised to run the water for 15 to 30 minutes or until it is clear.