The City of Fernie is working towards UV disinfection to improve water quality at the Fairy Creek source.
In 2023, the city began a water system improvement program at Fairy Creek, in which it has been getting potable water from for over a century, but it is still unclear
how it’s recharged.
Currently Fairy Creek is only disinfected with chlorine and does not meet the drinking water treatment objectives for surface water supplies in B.C.
The city must increase disinfection and provide filtration or apply for filtration exemption from Interior Health.
The city is working with Interior Health on designs for a UV system that will fit into an existing valve chamber at the reservoir.
Project engineer Joanna Line says designs should be completed later this year and construction next year.
“With ongoing approvals from Interior Health we anticipate the UV design to be finalized by the end of the year,” she said.
“We plan to have construction next year.”
Filtration exemption will only be granted once the UV system is installed and commissioned to the satisfaction of Interior Health.
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