HUDSON’S HOPE, B.C. - Residents of Hudson’s Hope are being advised they may notice temporary changes to their water service as crews transition from rented water treatment equipment to newly installed infrastructure at the community’s water treatment plant.
The District said work is underway to bring the new equipment online as part of ongoing upgrades to the facility.
During the transition period, residents could experience temporary fluctuations in water pressure and minor changes in water clarity or appearance.
District officials said water quality will continue to be monitored throughout the process and that the water is expected to remain safe to drink.
As an added precaution, however, the District said people who are immunocompromised, elderly, infants, or individuals with underlying health concerns may wish to boil their drinking water while the transition is taking place.
Residents who notice sediment or discoloured water are being encouraged to run a cold water tap for several minutes to help clear their service line.
Long-Term Solution to Water Quality Challenges
The latest work is part of a long-term effort to address water quality challenges that have affected the community for several years.
Earlier this summer, the District announced that a new permanent clarifier was being commissioned at the water treatment plant.
Once operational, the system will replace a temporary clarifier currently being used to treat water drawn from the Peace River.
District officials previously said a precautionary boil water notice would be issued when the new clarifier begins operating while mandatory water quality testing is completed under the direction of Northern Health.
The testing period was expected to last between two and four weeks.
History of Water Issues
Hudson’s Hope’s water issues date back to changes associated with BC Hydro’s Site C project.
In 2020, construction of a shoreline protection berm prevented the District from continuing to draw water directly from the Peace River, forcing a switch to a groundwater-based system.
According to the District, declining groundwater quality led to ongoing treatment challenges, increased maintenance requirements and complaints from residents about taste and odour.
The community experienced several boil water notices and do-not-consume orders in the years that followed.
In 2023, the District returned to using the Peace River through a temporary treatment system while planning for a permanent solution.
A do-not-consume order that had been in place since August 2024 was lifted later that year after corrective work and water testing confirmed the system was producing safe drinking water.
Current upgrades include a permanent pumping system, new water intake infrastructure and a District-owned clarifier designed to provide a long-term surface water treatment solution for the community.
Officials are encouraging residents to monitor District communications for future updates as the transition to the new system continues.