Residents served by the Wilderness Mountain water system in East Sooke are being urged to boil their tap water before drinking it following a water quality advisory issued Thursday. The Capital Regional District and Island Health issued the warning over elevated turbidity in water from Wilfred Reservoir. Turbidity refers to particles suspended in water that can make it cloudy and interfere with disinfection. The advisory is precautionary and does not confirm that the water is contaminated. Affected residents should bring water to a vigorous boil for one minute before using it for drinking, food preparation, making ice or brushing their teeth. Tap water can still be used for showering, bathing, laundry and toilet flushing, but residents should avoid swallowing it. “The boil water advisory will be lifted when Island Heath is satisfied that the drinking water does not pose a health concern and issues an ‘ALL CLEAR’ notice at which time this advisory will be resolved,” the CRD said in a release. Residents are advised to monitor official updates for further information.
