The City of Fernie is now looking at different drinking water sources as its backup well sees possibly higher levels of selenium– a mineral with harmful effects on people and the environment.
Testing by the City and Elk Valley Resources (EVR) found that James White Wells, Fernie’s secondary source when Fairy Creek experiences high turbidity, is affected by seasonally fluctuating selenium levels from the nearby Elk River.
To mitigate this, contractors will be installing test groundwater wells over the next two weeks around Fernie Secondary School, along Fairway Drive and near the 2nd Avenue parking lot.
“The public is asked to avoid the area while work is underway, and respect all posted signage,” said the City. “There will be some noise associated with the drilling, but we anticipate minimal impact to nearby homes.”
Operations will involve borehole drilling and installation of up to three test wells, with pumping tests set to occur later in the fall.
Groundwater drilling is now underway until September 30, with no weekend breaks, to ensure efficiency and minimize disruption to the school.
In July this year, the B.C. government updated its plan to improve water quality in the Elk Valley after researchers found harmful changes in the region’s watershed.
Although testing showed normal selenium content in Fairy Creek, the City continues to work with EVR in finding turbidity treatments for the primary source.
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