Ymir Water System

Size and number of connections

The system services 107 active connections.

Location

The system is located in the community of Ymir within RDCK Electoral Area G. 

Source 

The Ymir system currently draws water from an intake located in Quartz Creek. The Quartz Creek area is designated as a Community Watershed. Because of the susceptibility of surface sources to environmental contamination, the system was on Boil Water Advisory from 1995 until 2009, when the new treatment plant was installed.

System description

The system was first constructed in the 1890s to supply water to an expanding mining community. Several stages of upgrades have been performed since that date. The system became a RDCK service in 1979 after a cold winter that froze the entire system and left the community without water for up to six weeks.

Treatment

A new water treatment plant was installed in Ymir in December, 2009. The plant includes pressurized media filters that are cleaned by a backwash process, 1-micron nominal cartridge filters, and 1-micron absolute cartridge filters. UV disinfection and residual chlorine disinfection provide a microbiological barrier. The plant also uses a SCADA system, which allows for remote monitoring of plant processes. The Ymir Water Treatment Plant has received several awards, including the BC Water and Wastewater Association award for small water systems.

Storage

A concrete dam across Quartz Creek provides a small intake reservoir. The system also includes a 273,000 litre steel tank for treated water. Reports indicate that this storage capacity meets existing water demands from the system, and that it could support moderate growth in the community.

Distribution system

Ymir’s distribution system was gradually replaced in a series of recent upgrades. It now includes approximately 4.8 kilometres of PVC pipe.  

Fire-fighting

The system’s water pressure and storage capacity meet standardized requirements for fire protection. The distribution network serves 16 fire hydrants.

Significant issues

The RDCK has not identified any outstanding significant issues for the Ymir system. This system is considered to represent the lowest liability risk of all systems owned and operated by the RDCK.

Plans for future upgrades

No upgrades are planned for the near future.

Governance

This system is currently owned and operated by the RDCK. The RDCK receives community-specific advice and policy guidance from the Ymir Water Commission of Management.