Ymir Water System

Quartz Creek Water Quality Monitoring

The Regional District is conducting flow and water quality monitoring reporting on Quartz Creek with funding provided by BC Timber Sales and the Ymir Water Service.  See the reports listed below for more information.

System Description and Governance

The system was first constructed in the 1890s to supply water to an expanding mining community. Several stages of upgrades have been performed since that date. The system became a Regional District service in 1979 after a cold winter that froze the entire system and left the community without water for up to six weeks.

This system is currently owned and operated by the Regional District. The Regional District receives community-specific advice and policy guidance from the Ymir Water Commission of Management.

Annual Drinking Water Information

Size and Number of Connections

The system services 108 active connections.

Location

The system is located in the community of Ymir between Nelson and Salmo and is within RDCK Electoral Area G.

Source

The Ymir system draws water from an intake located in Quartz Creek. The Quartz Creek area is designated as a Community Watershed.

Treatment

The new water treatment plant was installed in Ymir in December, 2009. Treatment includes media filters and nominal cartridge filters for turbidity reduction, absolute cartridge filters for oocyst removal, ultraviolet light disinfection/inactivation of microbiological components, and sodium hypochlorite (chlorine) disinfection of bacteria and viruses. The plant also uses a SCADA system, which allows for remote monitoring of plant processes. The Ymir Water Treatment Plant has received several awards, including the BC Water and Wastewater Association award for small water systems.

Storage

A concrete dam across Quartz Creek provides a small source water intake reservoir. The existing bolted steel reservoir was found to be in poor condition a few years ago. Temporary repairs were made and the reservoir was replaced in 2018 with a larger 617 cubic meter tank providing improved emergency and fire water storage. A Clean Water & Wastewater Fund grant provided the majority of funding.

Distribution System

Ymir's distribution system includes approximately 4.8 kilometres of PVC pipe.

Fire-Fighting

The system's water pressure and storage capacity meet standardized requirements for fire protection. The distribution network serves 16 fire hydrants. The Ymir water system has been recognized by Fire Underwriters Survey as having a Dwelling Protection Grade since 1986 and has most recently been reviewed in 2014. Subscribing insurance providers can get water system grading information from Fire Underwriters Survey.

Significant Issues

The Quartz Creek watershed has been licensed for timber harvesting. The Regional District has been working with BC Timer Sales and now the Licensee, ATCO Wood Products to provide water quality monitoring.

Plans for Future Upgrades

A reservoir outlet flow meter, treatment plant controls upgrade and UV disinfection replacement are 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 7:44 AM