Beaver Lake Water Treatment

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Fresh water makes up only 3% of the total water found on Earth.  Of this, only 0.5% is usable, e.g. not frozen or in the atmosphere. Surface water sources, as the name suggests, is found in lakes, rivers, etc. These sources present unique challenges to municipal water treatment facilities. Surface water is affected differently by Mother Nature and human interaction than ground water, e.g. a well. Spring run-off, acid rain, animal waste, agricultural influences, decomposing vegetation and other organics all influence surface water and the Beaver Lake water source in Lake Country, BC is no exception. Using the correct water treatment equipment means getting the best results from your water filtration system.

Do you know what your primary and back-up water sources are?  Check the District of Lake Country's website - link here.

Beaver Lake water quality advisory in place since 2007

Turbidity can exceed 1.0 NTU

Health Canada Guidelines on Turbidity link here.

Tannins cause yellow/brownish water

Trihalomethanes (THMs) frequently exceed Health Canada Guidelines of 0.1 mg/L

Health Canada Guidelines on THMs link here.

pH varies throughout the year between 6.7 to 7.4

Health Canada Guidelines on pH link here.

Turbidity (cloudiness) in the water can prevent proper disinfection by chlorination and ultraviolet light.  Children, elderly and immunocompromised individuals are at an elevated risk to become sick from bacteria and/or parasites. Reducing turbidity will allow chlorination and ultraviolet systems to be more effective.

Tannins cause the water to be yellowish/brown as seen in Beaver Lake water. This is mostly an aesthetic problem.  However, filling your indoor/outdoor tub or pool with water affected by tannins will leave you less than pleased. It will also leave water marks and/or stains on counter tops, grout, tile, bed sheets and clothes. Removing tannins is a difficult process. What works in one area may not work in another.  Keep in mind that the by-product of removing tannins is lower pH. 

pH levels for Beaver Lake water, as detailed in the water treatment reports of the District of Lake Country, have varied between 6.7 and 7.4.  On the acidic side, 6.7 is not too bad, however, Health Canada recommends Canadians consume neutral water. If we consider that removing tannins can lower the pH by up to 10% we can quickly see that a starting pH of 6.7 quickly becomes very acidic and must be dealt with using a neutralizer.

Trihalomethanes (THMs)  are created when the chlorine used to disinfect water reacts with organic material such as vegetation, dead leaves and/or tannins. THM contamination occurs more frequently in drinking water systems supplied by surface water, such as Beaver Lake. Human exposure to THMs has been linked to colorectal cancer and adverse reproductive effects.

Depending on your water treatment concerns, space available, budget and comfort level we can design the best solution to fit your needs. Examples are whole home Reverse Osmosis (RO), whole home Ozone or more traditional filtering such as back-washing carbon filters, tannin filters, pH neutralizers, Ultra Violet systems and point-of-use Reverse Osmosis systems.  Contact us today to discuss!