Vancouver water getting the blues

Metro Vancouver residents might be noticing that the water coming out of their taps now has a slight blue tinge. That's not because of what's in the water, it's because of what's been taken out, according to officials.

The new Seymour Capilano filtration plant — completed in late 2009 — is online and doing a better job removing impurities in water from the Seymour and Capilano reservoirs, according to Metro Vancouver's website.

"The blue hue is the expected result of filtration and occurs because the filtered water is considerably lower in turbidity, iron and dissolved organic carbon," the website said.

'We've got very, very pure water' —Vancouver Coun. Tim Stevenson

"The blue colour is more noticeable when the water is in a white container, such as a white bathtub and is also proportional to the depth of the water."

Full capacity yet to come

Because the water is more finely filtered, less chlorine is needed to disinfect it and that improves the taste, said Coun. Tim Stevenson, chair of Metro's water committee.

"We've got very, very pure water," said Stevenson.

"Believe me, people throughout the world would be thrilled to have this water."

Whether you'll see the bluer version depends on where you live. Some parts of the region still get most of their water from another reservoir in Coquitlam.

The new filtration plant has not yet reached full capacity but when it does will treat 1.8 billion litres of water per day — enough water to fill B.C. Place Stadium every day, the website said.