Cache Creek residents are being told to limit their water use to cooking and personal hygiene where possible until further notice.

This as the Village has brought in water restrictions Friday afternoon in a bid to preserve its water and sewer systems.

“Our water and sewer systems as the are under extreme stress at this time,” the Village said, in an update Friday. “Every drop of water we can conserve and every flush we can prevent helps keep these systems functioning. These items are critical to public safety and fire protection.”

“It is important to note there are no concerns with water potability at this time. This is not a boil water advisory.”

Flood waters in the village west of Kamloops have begun to recede, though there are concerns about the weather as there is rain in the forecast this weekend.

Drive BC also says both the Trans Canada and Highway 97 in the community west of Kamloops are open to single lane alternating traffic. The highway opened around 8 p.m. last night, May 4, after a nearly 48 hour closure due to flooding.

There is a pilot vehicle to guide traffic through the area which had been impacted by flooding over the course of the week.

“This is the worst I have ever seen it, sitting here at the corner of Highway 1 and Highway 97, there is a river flowing down the highway,” Mayor John Ranta told NL News on Wednesday. “It is a river.”

Village staff are urging people to drive carefully as Highway 97 is damaged in some places. Ranta said Thursday there was “major erosion” taking place under and along the highway corridor.

“Be prepared for rapid changes as the Cache Creek situation could change quickly depending on several factors, including forecasted rain this weekend,” the Village said in a statement Thursday night.

“The Village continues to work on the Quartz Road culvert, which is still not flowing properly. The Todd Road Bridge is still unpassable and unsafe. Please stay away from it until further notice.”

A total of 21 properties have been evacuated, with 11 are on alert, the statement added.

“RCMP and private security are actively monitoring these properties both day and night,” the statement added, noting BC Hydro plans to “re-energize” the 30 customers who lost power due to a downed pole.

“Those customers include the Post Office, the Jade Shop, Oasis Hotel and other businesses in that area.”

A state of local emergency and a flood warning remain in effect for the Cache Creek area, with people being told to stay away from the banks of local waterways.

For the latest on flooding information in Cache Creek, go here.