Turbidity in Cranbrook’s water has been an on-going issue through most of the month of April.
And as of Friday, April 25, water quality advisory was still in effect, with he Phillips Reservoir still recording slightly elevated water turbidity levels, the City of Cranbrook is reporting.
As a result, the City of Cranbrook and the Interior Health Authority (IHA) are reminding residents that a Water Quality Advisory remains in effect for customers on the City’s potable water system until further notice.
The advisory was most likely to continue through the weekend.
Both the City of Cranbrook and IHA recommend that children, the elderly, those with weakened immune systems or anyone who wants additional protection to use boiled water or a safe alternative for drinking, washing fruits and vegetables, making beverages or ice, or when brushing teeth until further notice. Water should be brought to a rolling boil for at least one minute.
Turbidity, which is currently holding at about 1 NTU since the Water Quality Advisory came into effect on April 9, 2025, is a measure of water clarity or how much matter is suspended in the water, like soil particles. Increased turbidity can make it harder for the chlorination to do its job.
Turbidity, which occurs when there is run-off from snow melt and rain events, is common when you are dealing with a surface water system like the City is with the Phillips Reservoir.
This increase in turbidity is likely because of the transition to spring weather encouraging a fast lake turnover which has stirred up sediment.
