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Burnaby's drinking water continues to improve, according to city report

E. Coli detected in one sample in 2014; coliform detected in three samples.

The city’s drinking water is getting better every year, according to the drinking water quality report for 2014, despite one sample last year that showed the presence of E. Coli bacteria.

The water came from a sampling kiosk in the 8300-block of Willard Avenue on Aug. 12, according to the report.

“In response, staff immediately implemented pre-established protocols for an E. Coli event,” the report stated. “Fraser Health Authority was notified regarding the sample result. The results of all the drinking water samples taken from the area were reviewed and noted to be in compliance. The watermains in the immediate area of 8300-block Willard Street were flushed and re-sampled. The supplement samples were found to be in compliance with B.C. drinking water protection regulations. Based on the follow-up procedures undertaken and the resultant water quality findings, FHA staff were satisfied with the actions taken and did not require any additional action.”

Three other samples were found to contain total coliform bacteria, the report stated.

E. Coli indicates fecal contamination by animals or humans, and common sources of coliform include human and animal feces, though they can also occur naturally in water, soil and vegetation, according to the Canadian drinking water quality guideline. It can indicate the regrowth of bacteria and intrusion of untreated water into a drinking water system.

The acceptable amount of total coliforms or Escherichia coli is none detectable per 100 millilitres, according to the guideline. However, B.C.’s water quality standards are more specific and state that, when more than one sample is taken in a 30-day period, at least 90 per cent of those samples must have no detectable total coliform bacteria per 100 millilitres, and no sample can have more than 10 total coliform bacteria per 100 millilitres.

Burnaby’s samples didn’t exceed B.C. regulations limits in regards to coliform.

The city’s director of engineering, Leon Gous, did not respond to the NOW’s requests for more information regarding E. Coli found in the one sample.

In all, 3,032 drinking water samples were used for bacteriological analysis, with 1,624 of these samples obtained by city staff from 63 locations throughout the city’s waterworks system, according to the report, and 1,408 samples collected by Metro Vancouver staff from 15 locations along its mains.

“The City of Burnaby in partnership with Metro Vancouver consistently deliver clean, safe and esthetically pleasing drinking water to the residents, businesses and visitors in Burnaby,” the report stated. “In 2014, the physical, chemical and bacteriological characteristics of the water continues to be of high quality and in compliance with applicable regulations and guidelines.”

The majority of Burnaby’s water is not used for drinking, Coun. Anne Kang, head of the city’s environment committee, said at Monday night’s council meeting.

“I was looking at the report, your worship, and it seems like a lot of our water is used in toilet flushing and clothes washing and faucets and showers, and just one per cent of our usage of water is for consumption,” she said. “I would like to encourage people to be very well aware of our water consumption, and that we have enough sufficient drinking water throughout the year.”

Mayor Derek Corrigan agreed it’s important not to waste drinking water during the summer.

“I guess the only issue for us is being smart about how we use our water as we get into the summer months and making sure we’re not wasting water,” he said.  “It is important to remember that it’s up to all of us to be careful in the summer with our water, and that we don’t put undue pressure on the system for that short period of time.”

The water in Burnaby is of the highest quality, he added.

“We’re blessed in the Lower Mainland with the best quality drinking water anywhere in the world and we continue to be the envy of other nations and of other cities, and we also meet the highest standards for our drinking water,” he said.