City of Chilliwack has recognized that additional water supplies are going to be needed in the future given Chilliwack’s steady growth.
They’ve been looking at the East Chilliwack Aquifer for its supply potential, since it is fairly large, but high levels of iron and manganese have been detected.
That means that treatment will be necessary before it can become an alternate drinking water source for Chilliwack.
What is known as “Well #5 (TW 95-3)” was built in 1995 after a well investigation and brought into service in 1996 to boost the municipal water supply system.
“Problems were quickly encountered including red water at customer’s taps and iron sludge in the reservoir and both wells were taken off line after few days of operation,” according to the staff report for the April 18 council meeting.
Council approved the staff recommendation Tuesday to select three shortlisted proponents to conduct a well testing study for Well #5.
Proponents approved based on their scores:
a. Colder Associates Ltd.
b. Associated Engineering (B.C.) Ltd.
c. Advisian, WorleyParsons Group
They’ll be submitting proposals for engineering services for the study, which is expected to encompass “required design parameters to construct a treatment plant to treat the elevated levels of iron and manganese found at Well #5 and enable it to be connected to the City’s water supply to meet future water supply requirements to accommodate the City’s continual growth.”