East Sooke neighbourhood tap water unsafe for infants, authorities warn
![Tap water Water drips from a tap in a file photo. (Pexels / Nithin PA)](/content/dam/ctvnews/en/images/2023/1/11/tap-water-1-6226431-1673459545265.jpg)
Health authorities are warning residents in a rural neighbourhood west of Victoria about high concentrations of manganese in their tap water, saying the mineral may pose health risks to infants.
The Capital Regional District and Island Health issued the warning Thursday, saying residents on the Wilderness Mountain water system in East Sooke should not allow infants to consume tap water and should not use the water to prepare infant formula.
The Wilderness Mountain water system encompasses approximately 73 residential service connections near the top of Mount Matheson. The system's water is sourced from the Wilfred Reservoir.
The CRD says elevated manganese levels can be a seasonal occurrence in the region.
High levels of manganese can make water appear brown, purple or black at concentrations less than 120 parts per billion, which Health Canada considers the maximum acceptable concentration in drinking water.
The current levels in the Wilderness Mountain system are 167 parts per billion, authorities said. Children less than a year old in the region should consume bottled water until the issue is resolved.
"As a precaution, it is recommended to avoid drinking discoloured water, or using discoloured water to prepare food or infant formula," the CRD said in a statement.
"Older children and adults are less sensitive to manganese than infants and Health Canada suggests that the health risk from manganese concentrations of less than 300 ppb is much lower for older children and adults."
The warning is in addition to an existing boil water advisory for the water service area. The CRD says it is working on improving water treatment in the Wilderness Mountain region.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6963927.1721039387!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
Trump rally shooting casts shadow over Canadian political scene
The shadow of violence in the United States will be hanging over Canada's political scene this week in the wake of an attempted assassination on former president Donald Trump.
Anger and anxiety loom over the Republican convention after the assassination attempt against Trump
Donald Trump's campaign chiefs designed the convention opening this week to feature a softer and more optimistic message, focusing on themes that would help a divisive leader expand his appeal among moderate voters and people of colour.
A timeline of the assassination attempt on former U.S. president Trump
Former U.S. president Donald Trump was the target of an assassination attempt at a Pennsylvania rally Saturday that set off panic. Here's what's known so far about the timeline of the shooting.
NEW Things a flight attendant says they would never do
For some airline passengers, flying can be a daunting and stressful journey. For others, it's a welcome experience to see the world from hundreds of feet high. CTVNews.ca spoke with a Canadian flight attendant to find out what he wouldn't advise passengers to do before and during flights.
Some Canadians will receive their Carbon Rebate on Monday. Here's how much they could get
Some Canadians will receive another instalment of the 2024 Canada Carbon Rebate in their bank accounts or in the mail this Monday. But who exactly is eligible? And how much could you receive?
King Charles III to visit Australia and Samoa as he recovers from cancer
King Charles III is preparing to visit Australia and Samoa in October, an itinerary that will span 12 time zones and test the monarch’s stamina as he recovers from cancer treatment.
LCBO walks back plan to open 32 stores on Friday as strike continues
The LCBO has reversed its plan to open select stores on Friday as retail workers continue to strike across the province, according to a statement from the Crown corporation on Sunday.
Recovery mission underway in Port Stanley after 14 year old goes missing in Lake Erie
A volunteer human chain was walking the water’s edge in Port Stanley, Ont. Sunday in search of a boy went missing in Lake Erie. Around 2:30 p.m. OPP and Central Elgin Fire were dispatched to the main beach after a 14 year old entered the water and did not resurface.
Obituary Shannen Doherty, '90210' actress, dies at 53, People magazine reports
American actor Shannen Doherty, best known for her role as high school student Brenda Walsh on hit 1990s television drama 'Beverly Hills, 90210,' has died at age 53 following a years-long battle with cancer.