It’s BYOW – as in ‘bring your own water’ – for Belcarra beach goers for the next few days.
Anyone picnicking at the popular Belcarra Regional Park beach area should pack some water along with their hamburgers, hot dogs and potato salad.
Metro Vancouver parks supervisor Marcel Labreche said a leak in a water pipe has drained the park’s well-water fed reservoir. That forced the regional district on Wednesday to close the concession building and washrooms. Portable toilets were brought in while the leak was fixed, which crews managed to do by Thursday and the washrooms were reopened.
But even though the water service had been restored, a boil water advisory is in effect at the park until it has been tested by the Fraser Health Authority. Until then, it is recommended park patrons bring their own water for drinking, cooking, washing food or washing dishes.
Labreche said normally that would take until Monday, but Metro Vancouver and Fraser Health are attempting to complete all of the necessary testing by Saturday. Labreche said Metro Vancouver’s website (metrovancouver.org) and twitter account (@MetroVancouver) will provide an update when the park’s water is cleared for use.
Until then, he said, the concession stand will be open although sales will be limited to cold drinks, snacks and ice cream.
Labreche said Metro Vancouver has committed to eventually hooking up the beach area to the Belcarra village water system instead of relying on the reservoir. The park’s White Pine Beach facility was not affected because it has its own reservoir.
