Sooke Lake Reservoir reaches max capacity at fastest rate in decades
The Sooke Lake Reservoir reached 100 per cent capacity on Monday, according to the Capital Regional District (CRD).
CRD spokesperson Andy Orr says it's the fastest the reservoir has filled up since it was raised to increase capacity in 2002.
Generally, the reservoir does not reach maximum capacity until late December or January. This year, however, historic rains have caused the reservoir to fill up fast.
Orr says that there are currently no water quality problems linked to the reservoir, as the island braces for as much as 200 millimetres of rain in some regions starting Monday evening.
According to the CRD, overflows can occur if heavy rainfall overloads the region's sewer system.
If an overflow occurs, pipes at emergency outfall locations in Oak Bay and East Saanich will open.
The CRD notes that it recently built infrastructure to increase capacity of the Sooke area's sewage system, "which will significantly reduce the frequency and duration of overflows during periods of heavy rain and should eliminate all unscreened overflows."
However, the regional district says that some municipalities will continue to see screened overflows, including pump stations in Oak Bay, until infrastructure upgrades in that region come online in 2030.
"The CRD will continue to work with core area municipalities under our liquid waste management plan to continue to reduce the duration and frequency of overflows as much as possible," said Orr on Monday.
As of Sunday afternoon, wastewater discharge notices remained active along two shorelines in Oak Bay and Saanich.
One notice is posted between Tarn Place in Oak Bay and Seaview Road in Saanich, and one is active between Radcliffe Lane and Trafalgar Park in Oak Bay.
Residents are advised not to enter the water along these shorelines as wastewater could pose a health risk.
Correction
A previous version of this story stated that the Sooke Lake Reservoir filled at its fastest rate since it was first installed. In fact, the CRD says it filled at the fastest rate since it was upgraded in 2002.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trudeau acknowledges charges in Nijjar killing, calls for commitment to democracy
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has acknowledged the charges laid Friday in relation to the murder of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
Bodies recovered in Mexico likely 2 Australians, 1 American who went missing: officials
Three bodies recovered in an area of Baja California are likely to be those of the two Australians and an American who went missing last weekend during a camping and surfing trip, the state prosecutor’s office said Saturday.
Princess Anne lays wreath at B.C. veteran's cemetery; receives 21-gun salute
Princess Anne paid tribute to veterans buried at a cemetery in British Columbia today, laying a wreath to honour the more than 2,500 military personnel and family members buried there.
Mystik Dan wins the 150th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in a three-horse photo finish
Mystik Dan won the 150th Kentucky Derby in a photo finish, edging out Forever Young and Sierra Leone for the upset victory.
'I just can't believe that it took so long': Body found in wreckage 3 months after deadly fire
A man accused of arson in a January Old Strathcona apartment fire is expected to be charged with manslaughter after a body was discovered in the burned building late last month.
Quebec police hand out hundreds of tickets to Hells Angels and other bikers before 'first run' meeting
Quebec provincial police handed out hundreds of fines to Hells Angels members and other supporting motorcycle clubs who met for their 'first run' in a small town near Sherbrooke, Que.
Work stoppage possible as WestJet issues lockout notice to maintenance engineers' union
A lockout notice issued by WestJet to a union representing aircraft maintenance engineers could result in a work stoppage next week.
London Drugs begins 'gradual reopening' on 7th day after cyberattack
Almost a week after all London Drugs stores across Western Canada abruptly closed amid a cyberattack, they began a "gradual reopening" on Saturday.