Beginning the week of Monday, March 13, 2000 some residents of the Greater
Vancouver Regional District (GVRD) can expect an improvement in the water
quality due to the implementation of a new ozone primary disinfection facility
at the Coquitlam source water supply.
The newly constructed ozone primary disinfection facility is located inside
the Lower Coquitlam watershed and is part of phase one of the Drinking Water
Treatment Program. The ozone treatment facility will kill waterborne parasites,
including Giardia, which occur naturally in surface waters.
"We have a ways to go still, but we’ve covered a lot of ground and
accomplished much in six short years. The work being done is to ensure our water
meets Canadian Drinking Water standards today and in the future," said
Councillor Marvin Hunt, Chair of the GVRD Water Committee.
No change in taste, odour or appearance is expected once ozonation begins at
the Coquitlam water source. However, the dissolved oxygen content will increase,
which may sometimes result in tiny bubbles that create a milky appearance. These
bubbles should disappear within a few seconds.
Ozonation will be intermittent over the next two months before operating on a
continuous basis. In addition to ozonation, an adjustment to the pH level in the
water will be made from the current pH of between 5.5 and 6 to between 6.5 and
7. A further pH adjustment between pH 8 and 8.5 is planned for the entire region
in 2002.
The Coquitlam water source supplies the eastern part of the region, including
Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows, New Westminster, Port Moody, Port Coquitlam,
Coquitlam, the City of Langley and parts of the Township of Langley and Surrey.
At times, this water also supplies parts of Burnaby, Delta, Vancouver and
Richmond.
In 1993 the GVRD conducted an extensive two-year public consultation process
on drinking water treatment options. The Drinking Water Treatment Program was
approved by the region’s elected officials in 1994.
For Information:
Marrett Green,
Media Relations Officer,
(604) 451-6033
GVRD Communications and Education
For further information or feedback, please email us at webmaster@gvrd.bc.ca
