The Comox Valley Regional District has provided another update on the sewer leak into Comox Harbour.
The regional district said an investigation, water quality testing and modelling are continuing, with an update on water safety in the estuary expected by the end of the week.
Senior manager of capital projects delivery Charlie Gore said there is still more work to be done.
“We understand that many are eager for results of this testing/modelling, and we are committed to sharing information as soon as we’re able.”
Water quality testing has been underway since the day of the leak. Initial efforts focused on the immediate harbour area around the spill before expanding offshore and to recreational beach areas.
The regional district said initial testing conducted between May 26 and May 28 showed contamination was localized to the east side of the Comox Harbour area between the breakwater and foreshore. Testing points farther offshore had not detected contamination.
However, wastewater will continue to disperse from the immediate area, and modelling is underway to better understand how the contaminated water is moving.
The results of the dispersion modelling are expected before June 5 and will help guide regional district advisories on water use.
The regional district said testing requires at least 72 hours to produce raw results and that additional analysis is needed to develop accurate models.
Provincial and federal authorities are being consulted and provided with collected data. The public and local businesses will receive updates as information becomes available.
In the meantime, the regional district is advising the public to avoid swimming and other water activities in and around Comox Harbour and the estuary, including areas near Royston, Gartley Point, Dyke Road, Courtenay Airpark and Goose Spit, until further notice.
The regional district said boating and fishing outside Comox Harbour remain safe.
The cause of the leak remains under investigation and there is no timeline for when results will be available.
