Fall 2024 water system flushing
Wednesday, December 4, 2024:
Cove Bay Water Flushing starts Saturday, December 7.
Crews will be flushing the water system in Cove Bay starting Saturday, December 7, for two weeks.
Saturday, December 7, from 5:30am for up to 12 hours
Sunday, December 8, from 5:30 am for +- 5 hours
Bowen Trunk Rd
Village Square
BICS & BCC
Captain Cates Walk
Lower Village Drive
Monday, December 9, from 5:30 am for +- 5 hours
Artisan Square
Saturday, December 14, from 5:30 am for +- 5 hours
IPS & Belterra
The rest of Cove Bay will be flushed from Tuesday, December 10, onwards.
What to expect:
- low water pressure or possibly no water at all
- turbidity in the water afterwards
How to prepare:
- Set aside drinking water for urgent use such as
- for pets
- for making coffee
- for cooking or baking
- for rinsing hair in the shower
- for flushing toilets
How to get more information:
Fall water system flushing starts October 22 with Tunstall Bay and Bowen Bay, followed by the rest of the Municipal Water Systems. Updates will be posted on Alertable. Alertable can send updates by email, voicemail, text or phone app. Sign up today if you haven’t yet.
As part of its regular water system maintenance program, the Municipality will be flushing water systems in all Municipal water systems, rotating through each neighbourhood.
Water system flushing usually takes place in spring and fall when there is sufficient water in the affected water systems.
Most areas are flushed Monday to Friday between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm. This procedure is necessary to remove sediment that gradually deposits in pipes, and it does not pose a health hazard.
While the water is not turned off during the flushing process, temporary water interruptions may occur and your water pressure could be low for periods of time. Every effort will be made to ensure that water quality is not affected, but some turbidity and higher than normal chlorine concentrations may be present for short periods of time. Running your tap briefly should clear this up.
Residents are advised to have additional water storage for urgent use during this time.
Reminder: it is recommended that people with compromised immune systems ensure their drinking water is boiled, filtered or distilled.
Questions? Contact Public Works by email at publicworks@bimbc.ca or call 604-947-4255 ext 4
To get flushing alerts in your area, download the Alertable app on your mobile device, or sign-up for email or a phone call on the Alertable website.
Water system flushing FAQs
Why is BIM “flushing” the water mains or systems?
Flushing the watermains improves water quality by removing sediment that slowly builds up at
the bottom of the watermain over time. The sediment comes from internal corrosion of the
watermains and organic matter from the lake over many years.
How does water system flushing work?
During the flushing process, water is forced though water pipes at high speed and discharged though hydrants. The fast-moving water scours and cleans the mains. We leave the hydrants open until the water runs clear. Unidirectional flushing methods are applied in some areas when certain streets are isolated during the flushing in order to allocate pressure and force sediments into desired discharge points.
How will I know when BIM is cleaning the water system in my neighbourhood?
Sign up for the “Alertable” app. Staff are doing their best to notify specific areas in advance through Alertable. However, with only a small number of staff, the flushing schedule may change without notice due to upcoming emergencies or other tasks that may require immediate attention. Clearing the pipes through watermain flushing in one area may take more or less time than anticipated and therefore staff may move on to the next area sooner or later with very little notice given to the BIM Communications team.
What should I do if my water is discoloured after BIM has flushed the watermains?
Water is sometimes discoloured after watermain cleaning, but this should not last long. In the event you draw discoloured water into your home, flush a cold tap only for up to 15 minutes maximum. Once your area has been flushed, as a precaution, prior to using hot water run the cold water tap for a few minutes to ensure discoloured water is not drawn into your hot water tank.
Can the water system be flushed over night?
Daytime flushing allows for better resource management, staff safety, and communication with the public.
How much does the water I use to flush my taps cost me?
BIM advises customers that do experience discoloured water to flush a cold tap only for up to 15 minutes maximum. For the Cove Bay water users, 15 minutes of flushing a typical household faucet costs about 2 cents.
How long does it take to clean the water system in each area?
It takes about 15 minutes to 60 minutes to flush the watermains in each area.
Is water system cleaning a waste of water?
No, this is a normal and necessary part of maintaining a safe and reliable drinking water supply.
How will I be affected?
Flushing will generally occur between 8:00 am and 4:00 pm for most neighbourhoods. Specific hydrants will be used to discharge water. There may be a slight drop in pressure or noticeable discolouration of the water from the minerals and sediments that are being flushed out. Water service may be disrupted temporarily during the flushing process.
Additional Information:
Flushing may cause short-term pressure fluctuations along with sediments in the water reaching your home or business.
To clear your water:
- BIM advises residents and businesses to flush a cold tap only for up to 15 minutes maximum. Do not choose a tap that has a water filter connected to it, or the sediment may clog your filter. Do not use a hot water tap because it could draw sediment into your hot water tank.
- Catch some water in a light-coloured cup or container to see if it is clear. You can use your water if it is clear.
- If the water coming from your tap doesn’t clear in 15 minutes, wait 30 minutes and try again.
Chlorine smell:
- BIM adds only enough chlorine in the treatment process to keep the water safe for consumption. You can easily get rid of the chlorine taste and smell by filling an open container with water and keeping it in the fridge for drinking – much of the chlorine will leave the water overnight.
If there are any questions or concerns contact Public Works at 604-947-4255 ext 3 or email publicworks@bimbc.ca Monday-Friday