2007 BCWWA Small Water Systems Award
Presented April 2008
The BCWWA Small Water System Committee is pleased to announce the selection of this year’s winner of the Small Water System Award. The winner has been selected by a panel of volunteers on the Committee to recognize small water systems in BC for initiatives that demonstrate outstanding effort in the delivery of safe drinking water. This year’s winner is the Copperdome Lodge, owned and operated by Ian and Michelle Porter.
Copperdome Lodge is located 8 kms northwest of Pemberton and operates as a learning centre and retreat for groups of 8 to 50 people. The facility was originally a rural elementary school and was used by Outward Bound as a staging base for outdoor adventure groups until 2006. A Boil Water Advisory was issued to Outward Bound in early 2006 because their well was considered to be at high risk given it’s proximity to a cattle stockyard, the valley floor had a high water table which was subject to flooding and there was no secondary treatment of the drinking water. The Porters were aware of the Boil Water Advisory when they bought the property in December 2006 and were committed to resolving the issue.
- In February 2007, they issued a request for quotes for an acceptable packaged water system.
- In March 2007, Filterco’s proposal was accepted and a construction permit was submitted based on the recommendations of Dayton & Knight.
- April 2007, the construction permit is issued and in May, Filterco installed a multiple barrier system, including hyper chlorination, contact chamber, sediment and carbon filtration and UV disinfection.
- August 2007, Vancouver Coast Health conducts a preliminary inspection of the system and on November 1, 2007 the Boil Water Advisory was cancelled and an Operating Permit issued.
The end result:
- Water quality meets standards and the aesthetics are greatly improved.
- The solution was prompt, appropriate and affordable.
- The system is straight forward to operate and maintain.
The technology used was conventional, however, the time frame in which the improvements were made was very fast.
Michelle Porter receiving award from Gary McDonnell of the SWS committee.
This is only the third year of the award and the BCWWA Small Water System Committee wants to recognize additional recipients each year, with a maximum of one award for each Health Region. Entries are encouraged from small water systems serving a population of less than 500 users.
Nomination forms for the upcoming year can be downloaded here.
