VAVENBY, B.C. — For the second time in less than two years, residents of a small community in east-central British Columbia have been forced to use bottled water after a transport truck crashed into the river near their water intake system.
A truck veered into the North Thompson River early Sunday morning, about 31 kilometres north of Vavenby, potentially leaking diesel into the community water supply.
Interior Health has issued a "do not use" order and an official with the Thompson-Nicola Regional District says bulk and bottled water have been delivered to the community.
Residents were updated about the situation at a meeting Sunday and minutes posted on the regional district's website show officials hoped to remove the truck and trailer Monday and assess any damage to the vehicle's 400 litre diesel fuel tank.
The notes show the level of sheen at the accident scene is minimal and booms have been placed downriver to try to contain any fuel, while water system test results are expected late this week.
Vavenby residents were ordered not to use their tap water for eight days in early January 2017, after a truck carrying about 800 litres of diesel crashed in the same area northeast of Kamloops.
A cause of the latest crash is under investigation.