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Most of us struggle to drink the required eight glasses of water a day, but never really stop to think about where our drinking water supply comes from. Access to clean, healthy drinking water is a basic health requirement for people living in or visiting Whistler, and our water is tested on a weekly basis and continues to meet the highest standards as set out in the Canadian Drinking Water Guidelines. As the resort community grows, so must our drinking water supply. This summer, the RMOW will complete several upgrades to its water system as part of a comprehensive strategy to increase the safety and capacity of the municipal water system.
“The municipality is proud to provide Whistler’s residents and guests with exceptionally high quality water,” said Brian Barnett, general manager of environmental services. “These projects will ensure Whistler’s water continues to meet Canada’s drinking water quality standards.”
The RMOW currently relies on the 21 Mile Creek surface source as its primary supply for potable (drinking) water. The 21 Mile Creek surface source, like other surface water sources, is more susceptible than groundwater sources to contamination. This source is currently treated with chlorine and piped to Whistler Village under Alta Lake.
The RMOW has completed a long-term water supply strategy that examined various options to provide the required water for our growing community. After thorough consideration, the RMOW and our consultants concluded that groundwater sources would provide a viable addition to the 21 Mile Creek surface source to fully meet the community's build-out demands and to ensure the ongoing quality and safety of the water supply.
As part of the current water system upgrades, a new groundwater source is being developed at Rainbow Park. This will connect to the existing Village water grid via the new Lorimer Road Pipeline, which is scheduled to be completed by the end of June.
Other major upgrades to Whistler's current 21 Mile Creek Water System include construction of the Rainbow Park Pump Station, which will handle flows from both the existing 21 Mile surface source and the new groundwater wells, and a new ultraviolet (UV) treatment facility.
Whistler currently treats the 21 Mile Creek surface source with chlorine, and the new UV treatment facility will provide an added level of protection. The UV disinfection facility is located adjacent to the Whistler cemetery and will be completed by the end of June. The UV facility will reduce chlorine levels and will meet best practices set out in new provincial legislation on water treatment. UV treatment is an ideal choice to treat Whistler’s water because it is environmentally friendly, requires low power consumption, is cost-efficient, and is more effective in protecting against water-borne viruses.
The RMOW monitors and controls water in compliance with the Provincial Ministry of Health, which issues monitoring permits to municipalities throughout the province. The Ministry carries out regular inspections of the water system under the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority.
Whistler’s water undergoes hundreds of manual quality tests each year and we have dozens of real-time monitoring equipment which can immediately alert operators to a problem. Our central utilities computer continuously controls water supply and distribution equipment, and immediately alerts the municipality of any problem with our equipment.
If you have questions regarding our water, please do not hesitate to contact Brian Barnett, general manager of environmental services at (604) 935-8191.
