Photo: Contributed

Lake Country marked the completion of a major water project on Monday.

Total cost of the Eldorado water reservoir and Glenmore booster station project was $8.3 million, with federal and provincial partners contributing $5.81 million in grants through the Clean Water and Wastewater Fund.  

The District of Lake Country Water Master Plan identified construction of a treated water reservoir at the Eldorado raw water reservoir site and a booster pumping station that interconnects the Beaver Lake and Okanagan Lake water systems as critical pieces of infrastructure to improve water quality.

The project provides safe, sustainable, affordable water to the community, and also contributes to public safety by providing for increased fire protection to the Okanagan Lake water system.

Kelowna-Lake Country MP Stephen Fuhr noted the federal contribution was increased from 33% to 50%, thanks to the clean water fund.

“Lake Country residents can now feel confident knowing that the water from their taps is clean and safe to drink," said B.C. Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Selina Robinson.

Mayor James Baker said Lake Country has made great strides in improving its water supply.

The project is "another step towards ensuring our community has a safe, reliable drinking water supply while protecting the critical upland water source and Vernon Creek ecosystem and contributing to economic growth," he added.