On Friday, November 21 the Huu-ay-aht’s government office in Anacla issued a water advisory to its citizens due to a biofilm inside the water tank.
Biofilm is a bacterial film composed of a mixture of different micro-organisms that are held together and protected by glue-like materials (carbohydrates). The glue-like material that micro-organisms secrete allows them to attach themselves to surfaces.
The water tank holds 156,000 gallons and if filled by the maintenance staff from the Pachena River daily as it services all of Anacla, the upper and lower village. The town of Bamfield is on a separate water system, getting their water from Sugsaw Lake, approximately three kilometres to the northeast. Water is withdrawn from the lake by gravity.
“It is not uncommon for these types of tanks to have biofilm in them” said Kaal Haugen, Huu-ay-aht’s director of capital and infrastructure.
Water samples were taken on Monday, Nov. 24 and tested through the First Nations Health Authority’s Drinking Water Safety Program. The water was considered safe for bathing and washing of clothes, just not for consumption before or after boiling.
The FNHA said that the advisory was a “precautionary measure,” and that it was lifted when results came within the “normal range”.
“FNHA continues to work with the community and the drinking water operator to ensure the safety of the water for all users,” said the health authority in an email to Ha-Shilth-Sa.
Huu-ay-aht took immediate action to arrange drinking water and it was provided to the citizens through the government office in Anacla. Large jugs and water bottles were delivered down the Alberni Inlet by the Frances Barclay on Nov. 22nd.
“The results came in on Friday (Nov. 28) but we did not lift the drinking water advisory until this morning because we did not want people to be confused over the weekend,” said Haugen on Dec. 1.
“First Nations community members can obtain the most up-to-date information on their drinking water through their chief and council, or their local FNHA environmental health officer (EPHO),” said the FNHA.
