Cherry Creek residents near Port Alberni, BC, may notice cloudy water or pressure changes starting next week as the Cherry Creek Waterworks District begins its annual watermain flushing. The maintenance is set for June 24 through 26, 2026, and the district says the water remains safe to use throughout the process.
Watermain flushing is a routine job the district does every year to clear out sediment and keep water quality high. This year, the June timing appears to differ from the late-March schedule referenced in a 2021 district newsletter. In past years, flushing has sometimes been done near the end of March, but the June 2026 schedule is unusual.
While crews flush the pipes, residents might find their water looks cloudy or that pressure drops and rises. The district stresses the water is still safe to drink, bathe in, and cook with. Once flushing is done on your street, the district recommends running an outside tap for at least five minutes or until the water runs clear. It also suggests flushing the tank and the back of the toilets, and flushing your hot water tank per manufacturer’s instructions.
The Cherry Creek water system serves about 790 homes through roughly 38 kilometres of pipe. The district has faced water main breaks and boil water advisories in the past, including separate incidents in March 2022 and August 2022, but this flushing is simply planned upkeep, not a response to any current problem. The district is currently under Stage 3 Water Restrictions, reflecting ongoing water conservation needs in the area.
