Gazette Grand Forks
Like us on
$1.10 (includes tax)
Your community voice since 1897
Follow us on
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2015
Interior Health tells irrigation district to upgrade in Nursery
ecial For your sp r occasion o n... any occasio
e Call Natali ee ir s or De
to book an appointment.
Hedz Up Hair Studio
475c Market Avenue, Grand Forks 250-442-5223
BEST
• Open Houses! • Brochures! • Marketing! Call Today!
Brian Thate 250-442-7370
www.brianthate.com LITTLE OAK REALTY
FREE RING with your purchase of any two pandora rings*
July 2 - 12 *see in store for details.
® THISTLE POT GIFTS
337 Market Ave. Downtown Grand Forks 250.442.1214 Like us on Facebook
VOL 118 NO. 26
CRAIG LINDSAY
Grand Forks Gazette
The Grand Forks Irrigation District (GFID) is working with the Interior Health Authority on coming up with a solution to treating water for Nursery area users. There are currently 60 homes in the Nursery area that receive water of drinking from the GFID. The majority of the water from the three It was all smiles for this triathlete at the 11th Annual Pharmasave Christina Lake Triathlon on Sunday. The triathlon featured both a KidSprint and wells, which are adjacent to the Adult Sprint Distance events. Despite blistering temperatures, the kids Kettle River, goes to 100 hectares of swam 100 metres, biked six kilometers and ran three kilometers. Adults land. swam 750 metres, biked 20 kilometres, then ran five kilometers. Claiming GFID Nursery area is one of first overall in the KidSprint were Luella Faulkner, 11, of Grand Forks and three separate systems operated Ryan Dorgelo, 13, of Christina Lake. Overall winner in the adult female by this irrigation district in rural division was Amanda Sjoden, 33, of Grand Forks; overall male was Kurt Grand Forks. GFID is one of three Beerens, 31, of Nelson. the Nelson trio of Richard Marchard, Denise improvement (irrigation) districts Uhrynuk and Keiran Marchard took first place in the team division. See page A14 for more triathlon coverage. Megan Kienas photo (along with Sion and Covert) that provide water to the rural area. The City of Grand Forks has its own water utility. The water used by city residents is currently treated with chlorination. “The wells are close to the river and are adjacent to farm land, which does create the risk of pathogens in the water,” said Robert Birtles, Interior Health Authority (IHA) environmental health officer. “Although the majority of the water is used for irrigation, 60 homes also use the water for domestic use; therefore, this system is required to meet standards under the Drinking Water ProtecElijah Wilson (right) gets some last minute advice from Tom Starchuk (left) and Scott Savtion Act and Drinking itskoff of the Grand Forks Blues as he gets ready to throw out the first pitch in the openWater Protection Reging game of the Grand Forks International (GFI) Baseball Tournament Tuesday at James ulations—the water Donaldson Park. The tourney continues through Sunday, July 5. Craig Lindsay photo
Finish line in sight
GFI in full swing
does need to be potable and safe for consumption.” The system has been on a longterm boil water notice since 2003 and in 2013 was identified by Interior Health as requiring improvements. Birtles said that the system water in the Nursery area has come back with unacceptable results before, including a positive test of E. coli in 2006. “The wells draw the water in an unconfined aquifer, which is considered highly vulnerable to contamination,” he said. “As a result of these factors, the water system is considered high risk. GFID is under the Interior Health Boil Water Remediation Program and have certain target dates to make improvements and to safeguard the water.” Murray Knox, operator and manager of the GFID, said the wells are tested weekly and there is no bacteria in the water. “The wells are near the river so there’s a potential risk of the river contaminating the wells,” he said. “Interior Health put a boiled water advisory on in 2003 and it’s been on ever since.” Knox said that they have taken approximately 1,000 samples over the past 20 years with only two positive E. coli results back in 2006 when the river had an exceptionally high flood elevation. Interior Health has advised GFID that they must install disinfection equipment to treat all the nursery water by the end of 2017. Birtles said that GFID is compliant with the current conditions on its permit by sending out the boil water notices and working with IHA on looking into installing new equipment. • See IRRIGATION DISTRICT page A8
“It’s your move – I can help you!”
7544 5th Street. Amazing Décor! $255,000!
7279 10th Street. Amazing Updates! $269,900!
“Get your home on the
2834 Lakeside Rd. Beach Front! Jewel Lake! $332,600!
map!”
798 N. Kimberley Ave., Greenwood. Great Family Home! $225,000!
2410 79th Ave. Great Floor Plan! Panoramic Views! $329,900!
Brian Thate 250-442-7370
www.brianthate.com Little Oak Realty
2308 Fife Rd., Christina Lake. You will never see a hewn log home like this! $489,900!
Second Class Registration # PM0034