Vernon, BC Takes Steps Forward with Water Master Plan

Posted on July 3, 2013, Water Canada 

British Columbia’s Greater Vernon area is moving forward on a 24-year upgrade plan to its water system. The Regional District of North Okanagan approved the water master plan on Wednesday, the end of a process that began in March of 2011 when the Interior Health Authority put forth an official order for a plan to be developed.

Two options for the plan have been put forward: the first, preferred option involves partial separation of the household and commercial water systems, with treatment happening at the Duteau Creek and Mission Hill plants; the second option would involve as much separation between the two systems as possible, thus saving costs by treating irrigation water only minimally.

Dale McTaggart, engineering general manager for the Regional District of North Okanagan, spoke to the Vernon Morning Star about the plan. “We analyzed every aspect of the water system and we looked at a number of options. Option two gets maximum separation for the best cost. Already two or three times we’ve had to switch water sources. It shows how important it is to have two treatment plants and two sources.”

The plan is expected to cost a total of $111 million between 2013 and 2037, about $68 million of which will have to be borrowed.