Utilities Service Notice - Attention: Burnum Water System
The Cowichan Valley Regional District (CVRD) is advising residents served by the Burnum Water System that a routine sample collected in November 2025 showed an arsenic concentration above the Health Canada Maximum Acceptable Concentration (MAC) of 10 ppb, with 21 ppb measured in the distribution system.
At this time, Island Health has not issued a Drinking Water Advisory or Notification. The CVRD is notifying Burnum system customers proactively to ensure transparency and public awareness.
The exceedance appears to be the result of a well that had not previously contained significant arsenic now showing elevated levels. Arsenic occurs naturally in many Vancouver Island bedrock aquifers, and changes in groundwater conditions, such as shifts in water levels, seasonal variation, or natural geochemical changes, can cause naturally occurring arsenic to appear in wells that have historically been below detection limits.
The CVRD has taken immediate steps in response, including:
- Completing confirmatory sampling
- Performing source specific testing of all wells supplying the system
- Taking the high-arsenic well offline
- Blending the reservoir with higher quality water from other sources.
Island Health has been notified and is providing ongoing guidance. The CVRD will continue enhanced monitoring and will share updates as new information becomes available.
Residents seeking more information on arsenic in drinking water can review the HealthLink BC guidance at: Arsenic in Drinking Water | HealthLink BC
For questions or additional information, please contact:
CVRD Utilities Division
Email: utilities@cvrd.bc.ca
Phone: 250-746-2530