Review announced for tainted Okanagan water source

An independent expert will review the connection between a contaminatedaquifer in the north Okanaganand nearby agricultural practices, the B.C. Environment Ministry announcedWednesday.

The Hullcaraquifer nearSpallumcheen,north of Vernon, has been the subject of water quality advisories since 2014 because of elevated nitrate levels.

The spread of liquid manure on a dairy farm above thedrinking water source has long been suspected as a cause of the contamination.

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"Residents need to have faith that government is listening and will be taking action to protect water quality and safety in the region while ensuring agricultural interests are protected," George Heyman, the B.C. minister ofenvironment and climate changesaid in a news release announcing the review.

The review will be overseen by Calvin Sandborn,a director with the University of Victoria's Environmental Law Centre.

Province-wide guidelines sought

Heyman said the objective of the review is to establish provincewide guidelines for agricultural practices that will protect drinking water supplies.

Under the water quality advisory issued three years ago, pregnant women, babies under sixmonths of age, the elderly, and individuals with weakened immune systems, or chronic heart, lung and blood conditions were advised to use bottled water instead of the local water supply.