Emergency Response Plan
Updated October 2025
Mirror Lake Water Users Community
Emergency Response Plan
Note: MLWUC operates its’ water system under a state of emergency condition, from the microbiological health risks of supplying untreated surface water to users.
CHAIN of COMMAND: In case of an emergency, contact is to be established with a Board Director in the following sequence of accountability in order that a chain of command may be instituted without delay.
Chairperson/Manager
Maintenance Coordinator
Secretary
Treasurer
Any other board director
Any capable member of the community
LOCATION OF:
Emergency Response Plan holders – Each Board Director, the Maintenance Coordinator and the Environmental Health Officer. A copy of the Emergency Response Plan is also held in an externally situated box at MLWUC Maintenance Building on the access road to the dam.
Gate Keys to dam access – Board Directors
System Map (water distribution system, curb stops and shut-off valve locations) – maps are located with all Board Directors and the Maintenance Coordinator. A map is also available in the maintenance parts building. Note – as of November 2022 system maps are updated and available to the board in MAMP and QGIS.
Helpful Links
Phone lists– All Directors and Maintenance Coordinator
Email list – All Directors and Maintenance Coordinator
Emergency Contact Information - All Directors and Maintenance Coordinator
Emergency Contact Details - For use by the Chain of Command
WATER QUALITY AND SUPPLY EMERGENCY ACTIONS:
Toxic Contaminants
Immediately shut down the water supply until further actions are determined.
An available Director, Maintenance Coordinator or member to assume command, establish a chain of command and delegate tasks
An available Director, Maintenance Coordinator or member to coordinate immediate notification of all users first by email, secondly by telephone and finally, if necessary, by house-to-house visits, warning them that the water must not be consumed or used in any manner until further notice and to seek medical attention if they are feeling ill.
Notify the relevant authorities.
Post “Unfit for Consumption” water notice on the website and in public spaces, including roads leading into and exiting the community and access to the dam from the back road.
Maintenance Coordinator to place advisory notice on the doors of users that cannot be reached by phone or in person.
Resolve source of contamination as soon as possible but only when safe to do so.
Flow system to flush out contaminants
When approval has been obtained from Interior Health Authority, users are to be notified that the system is back to normal operation and reminded that the boil water advisory remains in effect and should be adhered to.
Loss of Source – intake damaged or plugged may result from slides above the intake, or debris after heavy rains or runoff
An available Director, Maintenance Coordinator or member to assume command, establish a chain of command, identify and delegate tasks.
Notify all users by email and telephone and, if possible, by house-to-house notification of the situation.
Determine if the problem can be easily resolved, for example, by clearing debris from intake, and undertake the required actions.
If the problem cannot be easily and quickly rectified, update users and relevant authorities.
When the system is back to normal operation users are to be notified that the system is back to normal operation and reminded that the boil water advisory remains in effect and should be adhered to.
Broken Water Line - resulting in significant system pressure loss
An available Director, Maintenance Coordinator or member to assume command, establish a chain of command, identify and delegate tasks.
Determine the appropriate shut-off valve and shut water off at that point.
Notify all users by email and telephone and if possible, house-to-house notification of the situation.
Notify relevant authorities as appropriate.
Repair the leak (using pre-approved contractors, if necessary).
Turn water on and check for leaks before back filling.
Flush out any lines that may have been contaminated with soil.
Notify users that the problem has been resolved and remind them that the boil water advisory remains in effect and should be adhered to.
MLWUC Water User Becomes Ill - suspected cause may be a water borne pathogen
The caller should be recommended to seek medical attention.
Determine if they have been boiling all Mirror Lake system drinking water as required.
Document and file the details of the concern.
Notify the Environmental Health officer, Environmental Public Health, Interior Health at 250 365-4312 (Business) 250 505-8236 (Mobile) or after hours at 1-866-457-5648.
Follow up with a call a few days later to inquire as to how they are feeling.
Multiple MLWUC Water Users Become Ill - suspected cause may be a water borne pathogen
Immediately shut down the water supply until further actions are determined.
An available Director, Maintenance Coordinator or member to assume command, establish a chain of command and delegate tasks
An available Director, Maintenance Coordinator or member to coordinate immediate notification of all users first by group email, secondly by telephone and thirdly, if possible, by house-to-house notification in order to warn them that the water must not be consumed until further notice and to seek medical attention if they are feeling ill.
Notify the relevant authorities.
Post “Unfit for Consumption” water notice on the website and in public spaces, including roads leading into and exiting the community and access to the dam from the back road.
Advisory notices to be placed on the doors of users that cannot reached by phone.
Resolve source of contamination as soon as possible and when safe to do so.
Flow system to flush out contaminants
When approval has been obtained from Interior Health Authority, users are to be notified that the system is back to normal operation and reminded that the boil water advisory remains in effect and should be adhered to.