The City of Nanaimo has issued a water quality advisory and warns there’s the risk of flash floods and slippery roads with heavy rainfall anticipated this weekend.
Environment Canada has put out a weather alert for heavy rainfall this weekend, prompting the city to issue a water quality advisory.
With a long dry period, there could be an increase in sediment running into Nanaimo’s drinking water supply and residents might notice cloudy or discoloured tap water, a city press release says.
Residents with compromised immune systems should boil drinking water for one minute.
“This water quality advisory is precautionary in nature,” said Bill Sims, the city’s manager of water resources. “After such a long period without rain, the forest has accumulated a significant amount of dry litter. It is likely that heavy rain will wash this into creeks and rivers near the city’s drinking water intake and we will see increased turbidity in the water supply.”
The City of Nanaimo also warns drought conditions have compromised the ability for soil to absorb water, which creates the risk for flash floods during periods of heavy rain. Roads are also likely to be slippery.
Updates will be available on the City of Nanaimo’s webpage and Twitter account. City employees will monitor water quality over the weekend. Any flooding or other challenges can be reported to the city’s public works department at 250-758-5222.