The City of Fernie is continuing its search for a new secondary source of drinking water for the community.
This work comes after City Council decided to find a safer source as the James White Wells is subjected to fluctuating selenium levels.
Fernie has partnered with Elk Valley Resources to find a new water source that can provide clean, stable flow.
Mayor Nic Milligan says their first option did not work out.
“We drilled some test wells near the Cedars and the flow in those wells proved inadequate to our needs,” said Milligan.
“There was also an indication of some magnesium in that water.”
However, the search will continue.
“We have identified two other potential sites: one near the high school and the other in Ridgemont,” said Milligan.
“We’re going to do more exploratory drilling to prove up those sources.”
In the meantime, the City is working on other options as well.
“We’re currently engaged with Elk Valley Resources on an options analysis to understand what else we need to do, working with them, to ensure continued safe drinking water,” said Milligan.
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