A community project will explore potential locations for a new groundwater well in Fernie.
The City has hired a contractor to install three test groundwater wells near Cedars Subdivision. The project begins the week of Dec. 11 and will continue to Dec. 24. Operations include borehole drilling and pumping tests at a nearby spring.
The project takes place on city-owned land and the drill site is located near a bike and walking trail called Purple Monkey Dishwasher, which Fernie Trails Alliance cares for.
Fernie currently draws its drinking water from two sources — Fairy Creek and wells at James White Park. Fairy Creek is the primary source of water for the community and James White is used only when Fairy Creek is unavailable during times of high turbidity.
Water testing from the city and Teck has found increased selenium concentrations in the James White Park wells, due to influence from the nearby Elk River, and has determined that this site does not have a consistent source of reliable drinking water. This has resulted in the city seeking another site for a secondary well.
According to a report shared with council on Aug. 8, provincial drinking water quality guidelines mandate that selenium concentrations in water not exceed 10 micrograms per liter.
Water from the Fairy Creek source was found to be normal, but the City and Teck do plan to invest in more turbidity treatment.
The city is asking that the public avoid the area where construction is taking place and to respect signage. Access to this area will be restored once the wells have been drilled. Public living nearby may also hear drilling noises.