At this time of this posting (July 25, 2024 @ 2:15 p.m.), New Denver’s Drinking Water is unaffected and safe for all uses, including drinking.
Village staff are providing this information update because of the current wildfire situation and Village of New Denver Evacuation Alert. This is a precautionary measure, to make community members aware of what may happen in the event of a sustained power outage in New Denver.
Currently, the Village of New Denver is using Pumphouse #2 (receiving water from an aquifer via Well #2 in Greer Park) to fill the Village’s water reservoirs for community use. Pumphouse #1 (which receives water from an aquifer via Well #1 on Kootenay Street) is not in use because of its proximity to the Osprey Housing Development’s septic system. The plan is to decommission both Wells #1 & #2 and Pumphouses #1 & #2 once the Village’s new pumphouse and wells are constructed and operational, next to the recycling depot.
Pumphouse #2 (currently providing all of New Denver’s drinking water) is not connected to a back-up power supply. Pumphouse #1, though not in use, is still functional and is connected to a back-up power supply.
If the the Village of New Denver experiences a long-term power outage, the reservoirs may need to be filled using Pumphouse #1. This would result in an immediate community-wide Boil Water Notice, because of how close Well #1 is to a septic field.
In order to minimize the chance of having to use Well #1 & Pumphouse #1 as a back-up water supply, the Village arranged delivery of a rental generator that would allow continued use of Well #2 and Pumphouse #2, and avoid having to put the Village on a Boil Water Notice. Since being connected to Pumphouse #2 on Friday, July 26, this generator will allow the Village to continue providing safe drinking water even in a sustained power outage.
Use of this generator during a power outage will also provide an increased water supply for the Village. Pumphouse #2 is capable of 500 US Gallons per Minutes (GPM) whereas Pumphouse #1 is only capable of 170 US GPM. This has significant benefit when it comes to supporting fire fighting efforts.
Although it is very unlikely, especially now that the generator is in place to provide back-up power to Pumphouse #2, if the Village water system did go on a Boil Water Notice, updates would be posted online HERE and around the community, as long as the wildfire situation allows this to be completed safely.
One final note: please continue to CONSERVE WATER while the surrounding wildfires threaten New Denver & the surrounding area. Thank you for doing your part!
