The mayor of Clearwater says it’s been a “no brainer” to assist Vavenby which has been without water for days.

The North Thompson Sportsplex in Clearwater has been opened up for people in Vavenby to use shower facilities free of charge.

Merlin Blackwell points out Clearwater is a major service area for people in nearby rural areas.

“Clearwater is basically the shopping area and service area for Vavenby, so we work together on a lot of things. The Sportsplex is basically a facility for everybody from Little Fort, Blackpool area all the way up to Vavenby, Avola and the upper Clearwater valley as well. So it’s a multi-use facility for all anyways,” Blackwell says.

“The (Thompson Nicola Regional District) actually funds a part of the Sportsplex, so we’re very cooperative with the TNRD on that end.”

A “Do Not Use” order for the Vavenby water system has been in place since Sunday, when a truck crashed into the North Thompson River south of Avola and spilled its diesel tank, releasing likely about 350 liters of fuel into the river.

Blackwell says it’s been a difficult time for the approximately 250 residents who have been affected.

“There’s a lot of sympathy going on right now for the residents of Vavenby from people in the Clearwater area. And this is a tough one now, this has happened a couple times now from my understanding over the past couple years. And we’re all neighbors here.”

The TNRD said on Wednesday that they are awaiting samples from the North Thompson River to come back, and if those show no contamination the “Do Not Use” order would likely then be lifted by Interior Health.