King Edward Bay Water System - Inspection Report

Inspection Information:

This facility was given a moderate hazard rating.
More information on hazard ratings.

Violations:
No violations were found during the inspection

Actions Taken:
Information Exchanged

Comments:
Routine water system inspection conducted with Public Works Utilities Operations Manager, Geeritt Duntz. System Overview: The King Edward Bay Water System supplies approximately 48 residential connections, with additional connections planned or under construction. The system is supplied from two active wells KEB1 (TW-01) & KEB2 (4-97) that are treated in the King Edward Bay treatment shed. The water from these two wells is pumped to the King Edward Bay treatment shed where residual chlorination is added by a flow paced chlorinator. The existing treatment requirement for KEB1 & KEB2 has been to ensure a minimum residual of 0.2ppm chlorine throughout the distribution system. An additional Well #3 (Arbutus Well) is treated at the upper Arbutus treatment shed, where the water receives filtration, UV disinfection, and primary chlorination before the water is pumped in a separate pump line to the King Edward Bay storage tank. There are also existing interconnections to the neighbouring Bowen Bay and Blue Water Park water systems. A VCH Construction Permit has been issued for upgrades to the watermain connections to and from Bowen Bay water system. Once the work has been completed, raw water from Bowen Bay water system will be pumped to the King Edward Bay treatment shed, where it will receive UV disinfection and primary chlorination, along with the King Edward bay wells. Treated water will flow back from the King Edward Bay tank to supply the Bowen Bay water system. A contractor has commenced construction of the new water mains. Requirements as per conditions outlined on the operating permit: 1. Submit Groundwater Protect Plan with in 4 months of this permit. Conditions of the plan must be consistent wit the recommendations outlined in the Golder report dated September 12 2007; 2. Must maintain minimum 0.2ppm chlorine residual throughout the entire distribution system and monitor the residuals daily at two locations; 3. Submit two water samples weekly at two different locations for bacteriological testing; 4. Submit raw water samples weekly from each well for bacteriological testing; 5. Well sources 4-97 and TW-01 are approved subject to Golders G.W.P.P; 6. Well source 1-97 is to be either deactivated or used for monitoring; 7. Well source 3-97 is to be deactivated in accordance to the BC Ground Water Protection Regulations; 8. Distribution system must be annually flushed; 9. Submit Emergency Response Plan within 3 months of issuance of this operating permit; 10. Requirements of this permit will be reviewed after one year or as necessary. Note: Once the work for the system upgrades has completed, updated conditions for the Permit to Operate will be provided for comment. Source Assessment & Protection An inspection of the wells found the well cap to KEB2 (4-97) to be loose. This well is also located directly beside the roadway on Emily Lane, with 2 large boulders and a cement culvert/lid to protect the well from a vehicle strike. The addition of a concrete highway style barrier would improve the protection to this well from vehicles. Due to the location of this well directly beside the roadway, it should be tested annually for benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene ("BTEX"). Requirements: -Securely attach the well cap to the casing at KEB2. -Install additional physical protection from vehicles at KEB2. -Complete BTEX testing on an annual basis from the raw water from KEB2. GARP Stage 1 Hazard Screening and Assessments have now been conducted by a hydrogeologist for wells KEB1 and KEB2. A number of risk factors have been identified. The operator has elected to discontinue further investigations and a GARP rating for these wells has been made. A Construction Permit application has been received by VCH for upgrading treatment to be in line with the new GARP rating. Historical well 3-97 is not in use due to water quality issues. The operator confirms this well has been deactivated and physically disconnected from the water system by removing a section of pipe in the well shed. If a well has been deactivated for 5 years, or not in use for 10 years, and if there is no intent to use the well in future, the well must be decommissioned. Unused wells can deteriorate over time and become a threat to groundwater. Near the ground surface, failures in a well casing, cap or surface seal can allow surface contaminants into the well. Deeper in the well, holes in a well casing can allow water from different aquifers to mix. Requirement: Consider decommissioning well 3-97. Disinfection and Treatment Both treatment sheds are secure. The Arbutus treatment shed is providing full treatment including filtration, UV disinfection, and primary chlorination. This treatment system was not in operation at the time of the inspection due to no demand for water, so the operation of the UV was not assessed. A chlorine residual was measured at the Arbutus Ridge treatment shed (water from tank) and a residual of 0.41 ppm was noted. The operator's recent records were reviewed and found chlorine concentration at the storage tank varied from 0.3 ppm to 1.0 ppm. The Arbutus treatment system was originally assessed as low risk for GARP, and therefore a CT was not provided, with a requirement for additional raw water testing. To maintain a low risk rating, on-going raw water sampling from the Arbutus well would be required. Since full treatment is already being provided, it is recommended that a formal CT calculation should be provided, along with a dedicated sampling station at the KEB tank for the pump line from the Arbutus treatment shed. KEB treatment provided at this time consists solely of secondary chlorination. A chlorine residual was measured in distribution (in the KEB treatment plant) and found to be 0.34 ppm. The operators recent records were reviewed and found chlorine concentration at the storage tank varied from 0.3 ppm to 0.6 ppm. The water system has recently been formally assessed for treatment and a Construction Permit application has been received by VCH for improvements including primary chlorination, UV disinfection, and plumbed for filtration. It is currently not possible to verify primary chlorination from either treatment plant which will occur solely within the pump line from each treatment plant. Requirements: -Provide a CT calculation for the Arbutus treatment shed. -Complete the installation of the treatment system once the Construction Permit has been issued. -Install dedicated sampling stations at the end of the pump line outside the KEB tank for each pump line (both KEB and Arbutus) so that primary chlorination can be confirmed before water mixes in the KEB tank. Distribution and Storage The storage tank is accessible and not protected by a fence and the tank is vulnerable to vandalism/ tampering. The storage tank was inspected from ground level by the DWO during the inspection. The operator notes the roof has some accumulation of debris and is due for cleaning. The tank overflow and drain discharge pipes could not be located to inspect for screens. Requirements: -Clean tank roof. -Locate and daylight the discharge pipes for the drain and overflow pipes. Install 24-mesh non-corrodible screens at ends of pipes to prevent birds, bats, insects from entering. -Recommend installing fencing around the tank to prevent unauthorized access. Chemical Assessment: In compliance Chemical/physical parameters are tested at least annually. Results are available on municipality website. Bacteriological Assessment: In compliance Bacteriological sampling frequency met the requirements of Drinking Water Protection Regulation; permit conditions require weekly samples at 2 locations. 102 bacteriological samples were collected from the distribution system in 2023 and 94 bacteriological samples have been collected during 2024 to date. Emergency Response & Contingency Plan: An up-to-date plan is in place. Summary of Issues and Requirements: 1. Ensure the well cap at KEB2 is securely attached to the casing. 2. Install additional physical protection from vehicles at Well KEB2. 3. Complete BTEX testing on an annual basis from the raw water from Well KEB2. 4. Consider decommissioning well 3-97. 5. Complete the installation of the treatment system at KEB once the Construction Permit has been issued. 6. Provide a CT calculation for the Arbutus treatment shed. 7. Install dedicated sampling stations at the end of the pump line outside the KEB tank for each pump line (both KEB and Arbutus) so that primary chlorination can be confirmed before water mixes in the KEB tank. 8. Clean the KEB storage tank roof. 9. Recommend installing fencing around the KEB tank to prevent unauthorized access. 10. Locate and daylight the discharge pipes for the tank drain and overflow pipes. Install 24-mesh non-corrodible screens at ends of pipes to prevent birds, bats, and insects from entering. Provide a written summary of corrective actions taken and planned by January 8, 2025.