Lynden’s drinking-water advisory lifted after nearly decade

After nearly a decade, a drinking-water advisory has been lifted for residents of Lynden.

Public health issued the precaution in September 2011 after intermittent lead was found in the rural Hamilton community's drinking water.

The official lifting of the advisory comes a year into the operation of a new municipal well and treatment system in Lynden.

During that time, public health conducted robust testing" and flushed out the more-than-$7-million system to make sure residual sediment in water mains was removed.

Public health says the water is safe to drink and use for cooking or baby formula without a filter, which the city provided to residents for free.

I want to recognize the community's patience and understanding as they awaited an outcome to this long-standing drinking-water advisory," Dr. Elizabeth Richardson, the city's medical officer of health, said in a news release Thursday.

The new well and treatment plant off Governors Road - about 1.7 kilometres east of the village - serves 154 households.

City officials have said it took time and care to find the right well site. Nine potential locations were drilled and tested.

Apart from lead, Lynden residents also dealt with an E. coli bacteria scare in 2014 that prompted a boil-water advisory.

Reach The Spectator newsroom at 905-526-3420 or news@thespec.com