E. coli (bacterial contamination)
Monthly, we offer an on-island water testing service. The specific dates are published – typically in the Tribune as an insert, and on Facebook (click on the link in the Navigation bar and follow us). Check out our water testing page for more information.
Chemistry (what’s in my water?)
When people get test results back on their water, there are many lines on the report giving various bits and pieces of information that can be confusing or even incomprehensible. As time goes on, we will add a small section on each possible item that may show up on a report back from the lab.
Wellhead Protection
Protecting the area around your well (the wellhead) is one of the most important steps you can take to safeguard your drinking water. It is the private well owner’s responsibility to ensure their water supply is safe.
Groundwater can become contaminated when pollutants seep into the soil and eventually reach the aquifer. Problems may go unnoticed until they pose health or structural risks. A protected wellhead is the first line of defence.
Get more specific information here: Wellhead protection
Septic Systems
With proper care, a septic tank/field sewage treatment and disposal system will do its job for a long time. However any system will fail prematurely if taken for granted and neglected. The consequences of a failed system can be a serious health hazard caused by contaminated groundwater, streams and marine waters. Also, landowners may be faced with a septic field replacement cost with having to install an expensive alternative package plant or engineered system. It pays to care for your sewage treatment/disposal system.
Fortunately, it is not difficult to take the care necessary to have an effective long-lived field. All you have to do is protect it against damage caused by abuse of the system, vehicular damage or plugging by roots from adjacent trees, particularly cedars.
The less apparent and, therefore, the greatest threat occurs when the effluent does the damage because it has not been treated adequately in the septic tank. As a result, inadequately digested particles in the effluent are too big and therefore plug the pores in the soil. This is progressive and has two consequences. It impairs field effectiveness by cutting off air to oxygen dependent bacteria which are what treat the effluent by destroying pathogens. When the plugging of the pores becomes advanced, the resulting impermeability of the field causes ponding or seepage of untreated effluent, polluting adjacent surface and subsurface waters.
Shock Chlorination/Disinfecting a Well
Shocking a well or disinfection involves adding a strong chlorine (bleach) solution to the well and plumbing system to kill bacteria and other microorganisms in the well and the distribution system. There are advantages and disadvantages: Learn more here.
Composting Toilets
Is this viable? Yes, a number of residents use them. They can be a cost-effective, environmentally addition to conventional on-site septic systems. Here’s a more in-depth summary including questions and answers from the Comox Valley Regional District, including Hornby’s plans.
Chemicals and Medications
Beyond rules and regulations, it just makes good sense to carefully handle unwanted yet potentially toxic substances. Hornby’s recycling depot can handle some items, such as paint, on Fridays. They continue to provide additional services for dangerous goods.
Also, medications that aren’t required, or are past their expiry date, are accepted at the medical clinic.
Saltwater Intrusion
This occurs when saline (salty) water is drawn into a freshwater aquifer, making the water unportable, and have negative impacts on the fertility of soil. It may be permanent or take years to recover. Here are some best practices.
