HUDSON'S HOPE -- After nearly three months residents of Hudson’s Hope heard the news they have been waiting for – they are finally able to drink their tap water once again.
A "Do Not Consume" order was issued for the district on August 9th, after residents had already been on a boil water notice since July 21st.
In a letter posted to Facebook the District of Hudson’s Hope said, "The District of Hudson's Hope in consultation with Northern Health completed all corrective action at the water treatment plant. Aerator and pre-filter media have been replaced. Distribution system has been thoroughly flushed. Chemical and bacteriological analysis of treated water satisfactory."
The district now has approval from Northern Health to lift the "Do Not Consume" order. Two clean samples in a row were collected and the district says the results are good news.
"No chemical or physical parameters exceed acceptable maximum concentrations. Two consecutive sets of bacteriological samples from throughout the distribution system show total absence of coliforms and E. Coli. In consultation with the drinking water officer and medical health officer, the DO NOT CONSUME order has been rescinded from today October 14," the statement went on to say.
In 2020, BC Hydro began building a berm along the Hudson’s Hope shoreline. It’s designed to protect the shore from erosion caused by the Site C reservoir.
However, the project meant the district couldn’t draw water from the river anymore. BC Hydro then provided funding to build an aquifer system to replace it.
When it was built, Mayor Dave Heiberg said the water quality from the new system was good. But now the quality has dropped substantially, even when it’s at a drinkable level.
Heiberg says the district is talking with BC Hydro to come up with a better long term solution. There’s no word yet on what that solution might be, or when it will happen, but Heiberg says talks are progressing well.
BC Hydro has also provided $500,000 to cover costs associated with the treatment plant’s failure.