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District of Sparwood shuts down Well #3 due to selenium levels

Well #3 will be shut until selenium levels have decreased below guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality.
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The District of Sparwood has shut down one of it's three water wells until selenium levels decrease below guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality.

The District of Sparwood has temporarily taken one of its three water wells offline from the regular water supply in response to a recent seasonal elevation in selenium levels, which was identified through the District’s regular water testing program. This will not affect the supply of drinking water for the community.

The District of Sparwood is monitoring water quality on regular basis and anticipates being able to bring well #3 back online once testing demonstrates selenium levels have decreased below the level listed in the Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality.

Wells #1 and #2, which are unaffected, serve Sparwood Heights and will now serve the entire community. Well #3 remains available for use for emergency purposes, such as firefighting, as necessary.

Teck and the District of Sparwood are working together to develop a replacement well that will support the community’s growth while also ensuring continued water quality for residents. The new well will expand the District’s overall water capacity, while also addressing the selenium trend in the existing Well #3 water supply.

The Interior Health Authority has confirmed there is no immediate health concern for residents.

Contact the District of Sparwood at www.sparwood.ca for more information. Information on the work Teck is doing can be found at www.teckelkvalley.com.

More information on selenium is available at Reference Health Canada Selenium document: www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ewh-semt/pubs/water-eau/selenium/index-eng.php