Photo: Wildstone Construction

Carmi Reservoir while it was being expanded and upgraded.

Preliminary work has started on securing a water supply for 850 future households in Penticton. 

City council unanimously voted Tuesday to submit a Crown tenure application to run a waterline from the Carmi Reservoir to a planned reservoir in the Upper Wiltse lands.

Council heard development is expected to begin this year on 40 lots in the Wiltse South Block, which was annexed by the city in 2018. It’s expected the block will eventually hold 180 units of housing, but no more than 40 can be built without a new reservoir. 

Development of the North Wiltse Block, which can fit another 670 homes, is “almost entirely dependent" on the construction of the new reservoir, according to planning manager Blake Laven. 

“While the Wiltse Neighbourhood Plan has been in place for some time, the water serving scheme has never been finalized and a water line alignment and reservoir location has not been secured,” Laven continued. “This has created uncertainty around the land development process.”

It is expected it will cost $4.6 million to construct the new water line and reservoir, a cost that will be borne by the developer. After construction, the city handles and pays for maintenance.