Sanca Water System

The Sanca Water System is under a long-term Boil Water Notice

The Regional District and Interior Health recommend that all customers drink boiled water or a safe alternative until further notice. Water intended for drinking, washing fruits and vegetables, making beverages or ice, or brushing teeth should be boiled for one minute. Boiled water should then be refrigerated in a clean, covered container. Customers could also choose to use bottled or distilled water.

Studies and Reports

System Description and Governance

Insufficient information exists regarding when this system was first developed; however, a large portion of the distribution network was rebuilt in 1980. The system was converted to a Regional District service in 1979 and is currently owned and operated by the Regional District.

The Regional District receives community-specific advice and policy guidance from the Sanca Park Commission of Management. Given the evolving regulatory framework, complexity of potential liabilities inherent in water system management, governance changes are being implemented starting in 2022, including establishment of an overall Water Services Committee to represent all water systems and convert some water Commissions of Management to a Water Services Community Advisory Committee.

Annual Water System Information

Size and Number of Connections

The system services 28 active connections.

Location

The system is located in the community of Sanca, approximately half way between Creston and Crawford Bay on the East Shore of Kootenay Lake. Sanca is within RDCK Electoral Area A.

Source

The Sanca water system derives source water from Sanca Creek. As with all surface sources, Sanca Creek is susceptible to contamination by environmental influences. The watershed is also known to have persistent slope stability issues and seasonal fluctuations in turbidity. Logging continues to occur in the area, but the supply area is designated as a Community Watershed.

Treatment

The Sanca water system has an untreated surface water source. Untreated surface water sources are at risk of containing disease causing pathogens. Campylobacter, Salmonella, and Giardia and Toxoplasmosis are known to be transmitted through drinking water that has been contaminated with the feces of domestic animals and wildlife, including birds and rodents. Water testing has indicated the presence of Total Coliform and Fecal Coliform bacteria. Untreated surface water drinking water is not considered safe to ingest. Sanca is under a Boil Water Notice.

Untreated surface water drinking water is not considered safe to ingest.  A Boil Water Notice is recommended for Users to lower the health risk.  The Boil Water Notice is intended to be a temporary risk mitigation measure, until steps have been taken to ensure the water is safe to drink. 

Storage

The system does not have any water storage but relies only on gravity feed from the creek inlet.

Distribution System

The system includes 1.5 kilometres of piping, the majority of which is PVC. The rebuilt portion of the distribution system is nearing half its useful lifespan. The age and condition of the remaining portion of the pipe network is unknown.

Fire-Fighting

The system includes five standpipes but does not satisfy established requirements for fire protection.

Significant Issues

Treatment upgrades were designed for the Sanca water system in 2016, but proposed borrowing to fund the treatment plant was not approved by the community. Public approval is required for any local government long-term financing. 

A Sanca water line passes through Sanca Beach Resort to service two northern parcels without any easement or statutory right of way agreement. This water line might be relocated to Sanca Beach Resort roadways depending on Sanca Beach Resort’s development plans.

Plans for Future Upgrades

Potential north water line relocation in the near future.

Asset Management Planning

An Asset Management Plan is complete and updated annually.

The content on this page was last updated May 4 2023 at 7:34 AM