$70 million for water projects

Photo: Contributed - RDNO

The municipal election is not the only vote Vernon area residents will be casting on Nov. 15.

The Regional District of the North Okanagan is asking the public to approve a $70 million loan for water infrastructure improvements. The loan would be paid off over 20 years, similar to a mortgage.

Greater Vernon Water established a master plan in 2012 that identified six priority projects with a total cost of more than $68 million.

Throughout September and October of 2014, open houses have been held to give the public information before the vote on Nov. 15. 

"Are you in favour of the Regional District of North Okanagan adopting Bylaw No. 2629, being "Greater Vernon Water 2012 Master Water Plan Phase 1 Loan Authorization Bylaw No. 2629, 2014" which authorizes the Regional District of North Okanagan to borrow an amount not to exceed SEVENTY MILLION DOLLARS ($70,000,000.00) for the purpose of paying the costs to plan, design and construct the Phase 1 projects of the 2012 Greater Vernon Water Master Water Plan," reads the website.

The first project would be installing a filtration plant at the Duteau Creek water treatment facility. This project is worth an estimated $26.5 million. 

The cost of all projects are estimated in 2012 dollars. It is unclear how much those numbers will have changed since then.

The projects can be viewed on an interactive map on the RDNO website.

The RDNO says the upgrades are required for two reasons:

1) To stay in step with provincial regulations for water quality.

2) To maintain supply for agriculture, fire fighting and drinking

By volume, Greater Vernon Water is the fourth largest water utility in BC, delivering an average of 24 billion litres of water to customers each year. More than 12 billion litres are used by agriculture each year.

The next public hearing is scheduled for Oct. 28 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the RDNO board room in Coldstream.