Water Quality Tests
The Regional District of Nanaimo regularly tests water quality to ensure a safe supply of water. The Vancouver Island Health Authority (VIHA) sets the frequency of testing for each water system. The provincial laboratory analyzes the test samples. RDN staff also test weekly to get an early indication of any potential problems. Once a year, an independent laboratory analyzes tap and raw water samples based on the Canadian Drinking Water Guidelines.
Review test results for each water service area:
- Nanoose Bay Peninsula
- Decourcey
- River's Edge
- San Pareil
- Surfside
- French Creek
- Melrose Terrace
- Westurne Heights
- Whiskey Creek
- Descanso Bay Regional Park Water System
- Rollo McClay Community Park Water System
- Horne Lake Regional Park Water System
Testing Guidelines
Under the Drinking Water Protection Act, water supply systems must provide potable water to their users. Water supply systems must also meet requirements established by the regulations or by their operating permit.
The provincial Drinking Water Protection Regulation governs drinking water systems. The regulation prescribes:
- potable water quality standards
- reporting standard
- frequency of monitoring samples for water supply systems
Environmental Health Officers from Island Health work with the RDN to monitor community drinking water on a regular basis. Water samples from the distribution system (tap water) are collected weekly from the RDN Water Service Areas. Duplicate sampling occurs at each site.
Samples are analyzed separately at laboratories of the Ministry of Health and the Regional District of Nanaimo. To guard against risks to human health, the presence of coliforms and Escherichia Coli (E.coli) are analyzed in each sample. Other parameters which can affect the safety and/or taste of drinking water are also tested weekly, including:
- temperature
- pH
- residual chlorine
- total dissolved solids
- salinity
- conductivity
Raw well water is tested annually for a broad range of physical and chemical parameters. The RDN compares all water quality test results to the federal Canadian Drinking Water Guidelines.
Common Concerns
Discolouration
Iron and manganese are often found in a dissolved state in groundwater. Generally, the water appears clear when first drawn. Upon exposure to air, or after the addition of oxidants (such as chlorine bleach or ozone), this ferrous iron is oxidized ("rusted") to the ferric state to form insoluble particles. The water then looks orange or yellow, or in the case with manganese, brown or black. This can happen in toilet flush tanks and in the washing machine or dishwasher.
RDN Water Services flush water lines and reservoirs regularly, to remove settled deposits of iron and manganese. RDN Water Services continues to explore and test other treatment options.
Homeowners can control iron and manganese by regularly flushing their water lines and hot water tanks. All inside and outside taps should be opened twice annually to remove sediments and maximize water flow. Letting a tap run first thing in the morning will clear any sediment from the service line.
Avoid using bleach when doing the laundry. It can compound the problem of iron staining by intensifying precipitation and oxidation. Instead, use a non-chlorinated whitener, such as OxiClean, to help remove existing stains from kitchen and bathroom fixtures and clothing.
Methods such as ion exchange, oxidizing filters and reverse osmosis can be used to treat problems with iron and manganese. However, their effectiveness varies and the costs to install and maintain systems can be high. The National Sanitation Foundation certifies water treatment products for specified purposes. RDN Water Services recommends that homeowners check the National Sanitation Foundation's Website before purchasing a unit.
Odours
Sulphur odours come from a small amount of hydrogen sulphide gas present in the groundwater. As little as 0.5 parts per million hydrogen sulphide is detectable by taste in drinking water.
Occasionally an odour is present in the hot water only. This condition is usually caused by a chemical reaction which takes place within the water heater. When hot water containing sulphate salts encounters the magnesium sacrificial anode, a normal part of most water heaters, a reaction occurs that converts some of the sulphate to hydrogen sulphide.
Since the magnesium anode rod is removable, in many cases, removal of the rod is a remedy for the problem. Many people remove the rod entirely. Remember though, the anode is used in a water heater to reduce corrosion in the heater tank, and its removal may invalidate the warranty.
Hard Water
The hardness of water is generally due to the presence of calcium and magnesium in the water. Hardness is reported in terms of calcium carbonate and in units of milligrams per litre (mg/L). Waters with values exceeding 120 mg/L are considered hard, while values below 60 mg/L are considered soft. Harder water has the effect of reducing the toxicity of some metals (i.e., copper, lead, zinc, etc.). Soft water may have corrosive effect on metal plumbing, while hard water may result in scale deposits in the pipes. If the water has a hardness of greater than 500 mg/L, then it is normally unacceptable for most domestic purposes and must be treated. The hardness of water is generally due to the presence of calcium and magnesium in the water. Hardness is reported in terms of calcium carbonate and in units of milligrams per litre (mg/L). Waters with values exceeding 120 mg/L are considered hard, while values below 60 mg/L are considered soft. Harder water has the effect of reducing the toxicity of some metals (i.e., copper, lead, zinc, etc.). Soft water may have corrosive effect on metal plumbing, while hard water may result in scale deposits in the pipes. If the water has a hardness of greater than 500 mg/L, then it is normally unacceptable for most domestic purposes and must be treated.
Coliforms
A coliform is a group of closely related bacteria. Measuring coliforms provides an estimate of the degree of fecal contamination from human and animal wastes. Total coliforms include fecal coliforms, common to the intestinal tract of both humans and warm-blooded animals, and non-fecal coliforms that are naturally present in soils and on vegetation. The presence of total coliforms may indicate a breakdown in the water treatment process, or bacterial growth in the water distribution system.