Sanca Park Water System

Size and number of connections

The system services 29 active connections.

Location

The system is located in the community of Sanca, approximately half way between Creston and Crawford Bay on the east shore of Kootenay Lake. Sanca is within RDCK Electoral Area A. 

Source 

The Sanca water system derives source water from Sanca Creek. As with all surface sources, Sanca Creek is susceptible to contamination by environmental influences. The watershed is also known to have persistent slope stability issues and seasonal fluctuations in turbidity. Logging continues to occur in the area, but the supply area is designated as a Community Watershed.

System description

Insufficient information exists regarding when this system was first developed; however, a large portion of the distribution network was rebuilt in 1980. The system was converted to an RDCK service in 1979.

Treatment

The system does not currently incorporate any form of treatment. Because of the occasional presence of waterborne pathogens in samples, Sanca Park water users remain under a boil-water advisory that was originally issued in June, 2000.

Storage

The system does not have any storage capacity.

Distribution system

The system includes 1.5 kilometres of piping, the majority of which is PVC. The rebuilt portion of the distribution system is nearing half its useful lifespan. The age and condition of the remaining portion of the pipe network is unknown.

Fire-fighting

The system includes five standpipes but does not satisfy established requirements for fire protection.   

Significant issues

The intake for the system uses an infiltration gallery which provides some coarse filtration of the water; however, no fine filtration takes place in the Sanca Park system. Accordingly, the water carries high levels of suspended sediments into the distribution network. The siltation that results may reduce the useful lifespan of certain system components.

A significant proportion of water system infrastructure is situated on privately-owned land in Sanca. The RDCK is working to establish rights-of-way or easements with property owners to ensure that utilities staff are able to legally access all aspects of the system in order to perform maintenance, upgrades, or emergency works.

Plans for future upgrades

The RDCK is currently evaluating the feasibility of various treatment options for the Sanca Park water system. In order to satisfy the Interior Health Authority’s drinking water objectives, and to therefore remove the permanent boil water advisory, some form of filtration and disinfection will be required.  Alternatively, a ground source may satisfy water quality requirements without the need for treatment; however a suitable well location has yet to be identified.

Governance