UPDATE: The Boil Water Advisory is lifted, full statement on City website here.
Residents of Freelton, in North Flamborough, are being asked by Hamilton’s Medical Officer of Health Dr. Elizabeth Richardson to “not to use the water supply for drinking and other uses” following the detection of bacteria in the water supply.
The problem was detected this afternoon and the City moved quickly to inform residents.
“Residents have received notices of the advisory delivered door-to-door,” says Ward 15 (East Flamborough/Waterdown) Councillor Judi Partridge.
Partridge says the City will provide safe water distribution to residents during the boil water advisory.
Details are currently being finalized for this distribution.
Background on Freelton Water Supply
The City’s website says Freelton’s water is drawn from groundwater in an aquifer, treated with sodium hypochlorite (chlorine), and stored in the village watertower.
8760 sample tests are complete each year, according to the City’s Drinking-Water Systems Regulation O. Reg. 170/03 Section 11 Annual Reportsubmitted to the Ministry of Environment.
The water is drawn from two wells and approximately $2.7 million dollars in system upgrades were complete in 2010/11 to replace one of the existing wells – that taken offline for health reasons – with a new well source. The 300mm diameter, approximately 50 meter deep drilled ground water well was complete and started service in 2011.
In 2012, approximately 780 people receive their water from the system.
http://www.joeycoleman.ca/wpfix/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/2012_Freelton_AnnualMOE.pdf
In 2008, there were 202 homes connected to the system with plans for new development and existing homes to be connected to the system. City staff at the time estimated the system would expand to approximately 335 homes.
Hamilton’s Rural Water Supply “at risk”
This is not the first boil water advisory for users of Hamilton’s rural water supplies. Lynden was subject to an advisory in 2011.Water quality is an ongoing problem in the #HamOnt rural settlement areas Freelton, Carlisle – source water protection bigger issue
— Councillor Partridge (@judipartridge) August 23, 2013
Dr. Richardson’s Guidelines for Limited Use of Freelton Municipal Water
The City provides a full list of how to make the water safe for household use on their website here.