IMPORTANT MESSAGE

Columbia Valley Water Advisory Has Been Lifted

Your water is safe to drink.

May 8, 2025 – The boil water advisory for the Columbia Valley Water District residents has been lifted; the tap water is safe to drink. The Columbia Valley Water District collected 12 water samples within the service area on Tuesday, May 6, 2025.  Results showed that the chlorine levels were normal and no bacteria contamination exists. It’s no longer necessary to boil water used for drinking and cooking prior to consumption. 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q:        What causes boil water notice incidents?

A:         The most common cause is a large water main break situation. The sudden loss of pressure in the failed water main can create a situation where air or other microorganisms can enter the water system. Although the water system maintains a chlorine disinfectant residual that kills common water microbes, in these situations the CVWD takes all precautions. Water quality staff assess the damage from large main breaks and determine whether a boil water notice is needed to allow adequate sampling and testing to ensure water remains safe to drink.

Q:        What caused this specific boil water advisory?

A:         On Monday, May 6, 2025, around 4:00 pm a cap on one of the 6” dead end lines by Camper’s Pumphouse fully broke loose and was leaking over 850 gallons per minute (gpm).  This size of leak was unprecedented. This created a loss of pressure throughout the water system.  This is a highly uncommon occurrence that created a concern about the potential of bacterial contamination, and we take any threat seriously.  Normal leaks are between 40-300 gpm and do not cause total system pressure loss. Our team immediately reached out to the WA State Department of Health, the agency that oversees our drinking water standards and we have been in communication with them throughout the processes CVWD has taken.

Boil water notices are rare, but when they happen, it's important to learn of them quickly. The Columbia Valley Water District uses a variety of methods to get the news out to the public. If you haven't already signed up for free emergency alerts through the Whatcom County Emergency Management Team’s program “Alert Sense”, which enables you to get phone calls, text messages, and/or emails when time-sensitive notices go out, please do so now by going to: https://public.alertsense.com/SignUp/?regionid=1189 to sign up for future alerts.

PRECAUTIONARY BOIL WATER NOTICE as of 5/05/25

Columbia Valley Water District is advising its customers to use boiled tap water or bottled water for drinking or cooking until further notice.   We are advising you to take this precautionary measure due to a water main break being repaired today.  This has the potential to affect water quality.  Boiling kills bacteria and other organisms that may have been introduced into the water.

After water service has been restored to your home, but before using water inside, please run your outside faucet until the water is clear.  This is to prevent any discolored water from entering your faucets and fixtures and to evacuate air from your service line.

Bring all tap water to a rolling boil for one minute.  Let cool before using.  You should use boiled water or bottled water for drinking, preparing food, making ice, brushing teeth and washing dishes by hand.  Tap water is safe for showing, bathing and for other household uses, including washing dishes in the dishwasher as long as the heat/sanitizing cycle and commercial dishwashing detergent are used.

Our crew is on site completing repairs.  Chlorine will be used to sanitize all new plumbing parts and materials.  Once repairs are complete and water service has been restored, the area will be flushed and follow-up bacteriological samples will be collected and tested to confirm that water quality was not affected. We expect to receive sample results from the lab in a few days.  We will notify you when you no longer need to boil your water.

We apologize for the inconvenience.  Protecting your health and safety is our highest priority.  If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the District at 360-599-1699.

 RESOURCES FOR CUSTOMER BILL ASSISTANCE

For the safety of our customers and staff, beginning 03/13/20 and until further notice, CVWD is taking COVID-19 precautions by closing the District office to the public.

Staff is still available by phone (360)599-1699

Mon, Wed, & Fri from 8:00am - 4:30pm