Duhamel Water System

System Description and Governance

The Duhamel water system became a Regional District service in 1990.

Insufficient information exists regarding the date when this system was first developed; however, some system components were upgraded in 2005.

Given the evolving regulatory framework, complexity of liabilities inherent in water system management, and the lack of recent community volunteers, the Duhamel Commission of Management was dissolved in 2016.  A Community Advisory Committee will be established if there is interest from the community.  The Regional District would like to thank all past Commission members for their service.

Annual Drinking Water Information

Size and Number of Connections

The system services 93 active connections.

Location

The system is located in the community of Duhamel on the north shore of the west arm of Kootenay Lake approximately 13 km northeast of Nelson. Duhamel is within RDCK Electoral Area F.

Source

The system draws water from a 156-foot deep groundwater well.

Treatment

There is no water treatment implemented in the system as historical water quality tests suggests the groundwater source is not under the direct influence of surface water and does not contain potentially harmful bactieria.

Storage

The system includes a 454,000 litre concrete reservoir. This level of capacity meets existing water demands in the area and could support moderate growth.

Distribution System

The distribution system is gravity fed from the reservoir. As a result, in the summer watering season, portions of the network at higher elevation are prone to low pressure problems. About half of the distribution system has been identified as requiring near-future replacement. 

Leak detection was performed in 2020 by isolating sections of main line and measuring flow rates.  Several large leaks were discovered and repairs have been made. This leakage resulted in higher water demand and increased pumping costs that has now been significantly mitigated. The Regional District is planning to continue with future leak detection work because the system is aging.  

Fire-Fighting

The entire water system does not meet standardized requirements for fire protection. However, the Duhamel water system was reviewed by the Fire Underwriters Survey in 2014 and is now recognized as having a Dwelling Protection grade based on available fire flows from one hydrant. Subscribing insurance providers can now get water system grading information from Fire Underwriters Survey so contact your insurance provider for additional details.

Significant Issues

A significant proportion of water system infrastructure is situated on privately owned land in Duhamel. 

The water distribution system is aging and a significant leak was repaired in the summer of 2020; however, other existing leaks likely remain within the distribution system.

Plans for Future Upgrades

Asbestos cement pipe replacement is planned in the near future.

Asset Management Planning

An Asset Management Plan is complete and updated annually.  The Asset Management Plan identifies required asset replacements over a 25 year and 100 year period and identifies annual contributions to water system reserves required to fund the replacements.

The content on this page was last updated May 4 2023 at 7:07 AM