The Return of the Familiar: Greater Vernon's Water Finds Its Way Home

Ah, the sweet taste of home, wouldn't you say? For weeks, folks in Greater Vernon have been drawing their daily sips from Okanagan Lake, a trusty backup, yes, but not quite the familiar essence we’ve all grown accustomed to. Well, good news has finally arrived, and honestly, it’s a refreshing change of pace: our beloved local water sources are officially back online.

That’s right, after a spell — since October 20th, to be precise — when every single drop flowing through the Greater Vernon Water (GVW) system originated from the expansive Okanagan, the tide, or rather, the water quality, has turned. The turbidity, that cloudy murkiness that prompted the initial switch from Kalamalka Lake and Duteau Creek, has, at last, receded. It seems our primary sources are once again pristine enough for our taps, and frankly, it feels like a little piece of Vernon is being restored.

For those unfamiliar with the subtle dance of our local water supply, Kalamalka Lake and Duteau Creek are, in truth, the workhorses of the Greater Vernon system. They're our first line of defense, our go-to for daily hydration. Okanagan Lake? It's typically reserved for those moments when Mother Nature throws a curveball, or when demand simply outstrips what our usual reservoirs can comfortably provide. It's a strategic system, really, designed to ensure we always have access to clean, safe drinking water, no matter what.

Remember that notice back on October 20th? That was the heads-up, the little note letting us know we'd be temporarily switching gears. It's not an unheard-of situation, mind you. These kinds of shifts happen, especially during the spring freshet when snow melts rapidly, or after a particularly heavy downpour. Turbidity, essentially suspended particles in the water, can spike, making the water less palatable and, without proper treatment, potentially less safe. So, the GVW team makes the sensible call to tap into a clearer alternative.

Now that we’re back to the good stuff, what should you do? Well, if you’re one of the many who noticed a slight difference in taste or quality during the Okanagan Lake tenure – and many did, you could say – it might be a good idea to flush your internal plumbing. Just run your cold water taps for a few minutes, let everything clear out. It’s a small effort for that satisfying, familiar taste of Vernon’s true blue, or rather, Kalamalka’s emerald green, water. Welcome back, old friend.