Wildfires threaten water quality in some B.C. communities

Raging wildfires could start taking a toll on water quality in some B.C. communities.

On Wednesday, the Cariboo Regional District issued a water quality advisory for users of the Lac La Hache water system, in the B.C. Interior south of Williams Lake.

The notice said that wildfire fighting activity in the region had severely depleted the reservoir, and sampling is underway to "ensure no transient backflow events contaminated the system."

As a precaution, the district warned that any "high risk" users including young children, people on dialysis and those with weakened immune systems use bottled or boiled water for drinking, hygiene, cooking and dishwashingpurposes.

On Vancouver Island, the Capital Regional District also issued a warning that water quality could be impacted should a fire near Sookecontinue to grow toward the Sooke Lake Resevoir.

"Ash and debris ... could lead to increased turbidity, which could impact the effectiveness of the water treatment process," the notice reads.

The Old Man Lake wildfire, which is burning in Sooke Potholes Regional Park, has now spread into Sea to Sea Regional Park according to the regional district.

The regional district also says that wildfire fighters are not drawing any water from the Greater Victoria Water Supply Area to avoid contamination.

For more news updates,findthe latest wildfire news and stories from CBC British Columbia.