Prince Rupert under boil water notice; city says it could last over a week

The City of Prince Rupert issued a boil water noticeFriday afternoon due to unacceptably high levels of parasites in the drinking water.

It said in a statement that water supply for the city of over 12,000 people hasunacceptably high levels of cryptosporidium and giardia.

The city recommends residents and businessesboilwater for a minimum of one minute if using it for the following reasons:

• Drinking
• Cooking (if not boiled)
• Brushing teeth
• Washing dishes
• Washing fruits and vegetables that will be eaten raw.

The city said the noticeis likely tolast over a week.

Could causeillness

According to the B.C. Centre for Disease Control,cryptosporidiumandgiardiaare both often-water-borne parasites that can cause illness.

Cryptosporidium, it said,has caused outbreaks of gastroenteritis an intestinal infection that can lead to vomiting, diarrhoea, nausea, cramps and fever in British Columbia in the past.

Giardia, the centre reports, is a common parasite in Canada. It leads to giardiasis or "beaver fever" and includes symptoms likevomiting, diarrhoea, nausea, cramps,fever, weight loss and fatigue.

The CDC says for most people, these illnesses are not considered serious but people with weakened immune systems could be more susceptible to them.

Drought, rains could be at fault

City communications manager Veronika Stewart said a severe drought in Northern B.C. combined withrainin recent days could be at the root of the water quality issues.

Prince Rupert is drawing water from Shawatlans Lakefor its drinking water, while work is done on a dam at Woodworth Lake, which normally supplies the city's water.

Stewart said Shawatlans saw little rainfall during the drought and has a lower water level than Woodworth. It also has more sediment.

She said the Northern Health Authority has informed the city there has been no increase in communicable diseases since the notice went out.

"And that's why the advisory is in place, so that we can assure there are limited health impacts," Stewart said.

The city, in its Friday statement, said it has applied for funding for a water treatment system and forother work onthe Prince Rupert water system.