Media Release

For Immediate Release
January 12, 2009

Increased Colour in CRD Drinking Water Poses No Health Risk

Victoria, BC – Capital Regional District Water Services advises that residents may soon notice that their water is more coloured than usual. The colour will be most noticeable as a yellowish-brown tint against white bathtubs and washbasins.

“The change in water source is not associated with any public health concerns,” said Dr. Richard Stanwick, Chief Medical Health Officer, Vancouver Island Health Authority. “Water quality standards for safety will be monitored and maintained,” he said.

The slight colour in the tap water is caused by a routine source location change from the Sooke Reservoir to the Goldstream System. This location change is done to permit the seismic upgrade of the Head Tank on the Kapoor Tunnel.

The increased colour is expected to continue until work is completed in mid-February. The municipalities of Sooke, East Sooke and the Gulf Islands will not be affected.

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For further information please contact:

Jack Hull, General Manager
CRD Water Services
Tel: 250.474.9604

Sheila Taylor, Manager, Community Relations
Corporate Communications, CRD
Tel: 250.360.3308
Cell: 250.216.4427

Moira McLean
VIHA Communications
Tel: 250.370.8908