Update May 7, 3 p.m
City crews have collected 12 coliform samples from multiple locations in the advisory area. All of the samples had good chlorine residuals and low turbidity. Preliminary results as of 9 a.m. today indicate no presence of coliform bacteria.
• The water quality advisory will remain in effect until further notice.
• A list of all civic addresses and mapping of the affected area is available on the City of Penticton website. Please check to see if your property is on the list and take the necessary precautionary steps accordingly.
Update May 7, 8:30 a.m.
The City of Penticton says the water quality advisory for the east area of the city, including about 2,500 homes, will remain in effect until further notice. Water testing is underway and results are expected in the next few days.
Continued high water has created localized flooding for areas around the Regional District Okanagan Similkameen. As of 9 p.m. on May 6, flooding on Chute Creek had cause some roads in Naramata area to become impassable.
Indian Rock Road has reopened, but Glenfir and Chute Lake Roads remain closed.
High water levels in Otter Lake and Otter Creek caused localized flooding in the Tulameen area. The Tulameen Volunteer Fire Department is responding and sandbags are available at the fire hall.
Sandbags are also available at the emergency operations centre at 101 Martin St. in Penticton, 250-492-0237 or toll-free at 1-877-610-3737.
One home in the Naramata/Indian Rock area has some damage as the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen continue to warn people to stay away from rivers and creeks.
“I was told there was some flooding and maybe some exposure to the foundation,” said Cameron Baughen, RDOS emergency operation centre information officer. “Right now we have people out assessing the situation and hoping that things settle down a bit.”
A voluntary evacuation notice for eight properties along Indian Rock Road was issued just before midnight on Friday (May 6). The RDOS said the swollen banks of Chute Creek limited access along the road for the affected properties — 6749, 6751, 6757, 6761, 6765, 6769, 6771 and 6775 Indian Rock Rd. Seven people have registered at the emergency response reception centre at the RDOS office at 101 Martin St. Residents in that area can call 250-492-0237 for more information.
“Most rivers and streams at a very high flow right now and it is dangerous. Things could change in a heartbeat with a little more rain,” said Baughen, who added he has never seen the water level at Ellis Creek in Penticton so high. “You can see how high the creeks are right now and we are warning everyone to stay away from them. If there is a damn or blockage the river can change quickly and the flow can be a very powerful force.”
Baughen said the RDOS is working with volunteers and fire departments on sandbagging efforts and how best to distribute them across the region. He added the RDOS will be issuing more information later today.
As a public health precaution, the City of Penticton has issued a water quality advisory for some residents of the city. The water main that crosses under Ellis Creek was washed out on Friday night. Water should be boiled for at least one minute before drinking.
More: Penticton issues boil water advisory
On Friday, the RDOS placed a boil water order on the lower zone of the Sage Mesa water system, including Sage Mesa Drive, Ladera Place, Solana Crescent, Pine Hills Drive and Verano Place due to the heavy rainfall and forecast for increasing temperatures over the next week. On Saturday, that order was expanded to include the upper zone of the Sage Mesa system due to the large flow of wood debris that has been observed on the south-west side of Okanagan Lake.
More: Flood waters continue to rise
Environment Canada is calling for a 30 per cent chance of showers late this afternoon and early this evening.
