The Regional District of Central Kootenay will buy up to 55 filters for Balfour water users at a cost of $5,000.
While the community was recently taken off boil advisory thanks to a new water system, some residents have expressed sensitivities to chlorine levels in the supply.
Area director Ramona Faust says the water meets all health standards, and staff are trying to put in flush points, but the quality of the pipes is not the best.
“So as flushing continues we hope the pipe deposits and scaling will diminish and the taste and smell will go away,” she says. “There is a lot of wisdom in replacing pipes before putting in the system, but it is not generally allowed by Interior Health.”
In the meantime, a bulk order has been placed for filters. The regional district will provide one per connection free. However, installation, maintenance, and replacement will be up to homeowners. Filters normally last four to six months.
All property owners were notified of the offer, and 44 have been requested, according to a staff report. A few extras are also being ordered.