Kelowna

City Hall is throwing its support behind the South East Kelowna Irrigation District's (SEKID) bid to seek provincial funding for a much needed water system upgrade.

The request came to council from the Kelowna Joint Water Committee.

Last month, SEKID water users said no to the water utility's request to borrow $15.3M for a water quality improvement project.

Last week, Interior Health asked that SEKID come up with alternative proposals for delivering the water quality improvement project without government funding.

Those proposals are to be presented at the end of the month.

SEKID board chair, Brian Wright says he believes it will be tough to get support without some form of government grant.

Councillor Colin Basran, the city's representative on the Kelowna Joint Water Committee put forth the motion to council Monday.

"Recommend that council supports the SEKID Stage 1 project as a priority application put forward to the provincial government for funding in accordance with the Kelowna Integrated Water Supply and that council authorize the mayor on behalf of council to write a letter to the provincial government indicating Kelowna City Council's support for the SEKID stage 1 project."

One way or another SEKID must show it is working toward meeting the Drinking Water Treatment Objectives for Surface Water Suppliers in BC in order to receive its annual operating permit from Interior Health.

The total cost of the project is $22.3M