Water system worries

Photo: Contributed - Oliver Daily News

Officials are working hard to ensure an Oliver area water system is up and running by April, after an underground pipe was damaged by a rockslide at Gallagher Lake in January.

Mayor Ron Hovanes said the agricultural area stands to lose millions of dollars if the work isn't done.

"The irrigation system has to start in April because we've got 400-plus farmers, who grow fruit crops, vegetables and vineyards, and gardeners who depend on the water system," he said.

The mayor said the buried pipe that is part of the canal system was breached and has to be fixed before they can fill the canal for irrigation.

At this point, he stated they are still in the investigation stages of how to fix it, as the rock face on the east side of the lake is still unstable.

"It's not a safe working area," he said. "We can't even start repairs on the pipe until the unstable rock is dealt with."

There is also a cost factor.

Hovanes said they had heard initially the cost could be $500,000, but now, that it could be much higher.

As a result, the town has put in a request for financial help from the province.

"At the end of the day, we have to have the irrigation system up and running. There is so much dependent on this," he said.