After a water main break caused significant disruptions in East Kamloops, the East Kamloops Business Improvement Association (EKBIA) is surveying the affected businesses to gauge the impact. The incident, which occurred during the usually busy May long weekend, has left many businesses struggling to recover. One of the most affected businesses is Soboleva's restaurant, which had to deal with the challenges of a boil water advisory and the subsequent lack of access to clean water. Soboleva and her team had to use around eight 15-liter containers of water a day just to make drinks, and they had to bring in extra staff to handle the disruption to normal operations. The restaurant owner expressed concerns about the city's communication regarding the advisory, as she only found out that the water was safe to use after a customer informed her. This incident highlights the importance of effective communication during emergencies and the need for businesses to be prepared for such disruptions. The EKBIA is working to put together a report about the impacts faced by its members, with the hope of presenting it to the city to seek cost reimbursements for the unforeseen expenses and reduced income over the May long weekend. The city has completed repairs on the water main that feeds around 7,500 homes and hundreds of businesses east of Rose Hill Road, and usage restrictions in most neighborhoods have been lifted. However, in-depth testing is still underway in Barnhartvale, where the 'do not consume' order remains in effect due to the proximity to agricultural and industrial areas. The city expects to get results from this testing by Friday, May 22, after which restrictions will be lifted if nothing adverse is found. In the meantime, residents in Barnhartvale can collect potable water at a designated location, and the city has taken steps to communicate with residents in the affected area. This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of water quality and the need for proactive measures to ensure the safety and well-being of the community. It also highlights the challenges faced by businesses during emergencies and the need for effective communication and support from local authorities.
