Friday, June 28, 2013


Repairing their "reporting imbalance", the Morning Star today provided three segments on Greater Vernon's water plan.

First, Rolke's story "Water Plan Moving Ahead":

A multi-million-dollar, 24-year upgrade to Greater Vernon's water system has overcome a major hurdle.
Regional District of North Okanagan directors approved the master water plan Wednesday, meeting an Interior Health Authority deadline to have a document submitted by today.

"This has been a lot of work," said Patrick Nicol, board chair.

The process began in March 2011 when IHA issued an official order for a master water plan to be developed.

"We analyzed every aspect of the water system and we looked at a number of options," said Dale McTaggard, RDNO's engineering general manager.

The preferred option calls for partial separation for irrigation and domestic uses, with treatment at the Duteau Creek and Mission Hill plants.  Total capital costs would be about $111 million between 2013 and 2037.

"Option two gets maximum separation for the best cost," said McTaggart, adding that not treating irrigation water will reduce operating expenses.

McTaggart believes the option also meets domestic needs, particularly when weather disrupts water supply.

"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," he said.

Up to 2017, about $2 million in capital costs can be funded through utility rates but there will be a need to borrow $68 million.

Public assent for borrowing will be required either through a petition or referendum, which could be held in the spring or fall of 2014.  It's anticipated that water rates could double over time.

But even if the referendum fails, the plan could still move ahead.

"If we do nothing, IHA will likely give us an order (to proceed)," said McTaggart."

"...maximum separation for the best cost," quotes Kia, adding "we'll remind them of that as water rates have already increased four-fold in 12 years."


Secondly, Jennifer Smith's story:  "Councillor proposes another option":

New ideas are coming down the pipeline to get better use of local water and taxpayers' dollars.

A $111 million master water plan has been identified, which could see taxpayers going to a petition process or referendum in November 2014.

The plan includes providing filtration at the Duteau Creek treatment plant for $26.5 million and at the Mission Hill plant for $30 million, among other improvements.

While the plan is already being submitted to Interior Health for approval, one local politician says it's not the best use of taxpayer's dollars.

Considering that the majority of domestic water use comes from Mission Hill, Coldstream Councillor Maria Besso suggests the funds be directed solely to that plant.

"Instead of building the plant at Duteau, do filtration at Mission Hill," said Besso, noting that 80 per cent of domestic use is from that station versus only 20 per cent at Duteau.

"It would end up costing us the same amount, we're just doing it in a different order."

Using water usage data from 2011 and 2012, Besso says that in the summer, on a peak day, of the 160 million litres being treated at Duteau it is estimated that only six million litres are for domestic.  The remaining 154 million litres are being sprayed on fields for irrigation.

"It would be a crime to put filtered water on fields," said Besso.

And in the winter, Besso adds, treatment of the average 225 million litres per month at Duteau costs $363 per million litres.  Whereas Mission Hill treatment costs $83 per million litres for the 522 million litres per month.

"I think we're going in the wrong direction," she said.

"Yes, it should be a crime to put filtered--and chlorinated--water on crops," avows Kia, "but where's the interview with the only councillor (G.Kiss) who was given permission to meet with the water consultants?"
 

Third, today's Editorial, entitled "Control Over Water Lacking":

"Nobody likes where water rates have gone in Great Vernon but it appears there's absolutely no choice.

The Regional District of North Okanagan board gave its blessing Wednesday to a master water plan that will cover 24 years and cost a staggering $111 million.

As a result, customers can likely expect utility rates to double in the immediate future.

But it should be pointed out that RDNO didn't initiate this process simply as a make-work project.

In March 2011, the regional district was issued an order from the Interior Health Authority to develop a master water plan.  The authority also dictated a strict deadline for completion--today.

Since 2011, Greater Vernon officials have worked hard to establish a document that will meet the requirements of the IHA, including filtration on the Duteau Creek source.

Now that the master water plan is completed, the next steps include IHA approval and gaining public approval to borrow $68 million.

Except that Greater Vernon's lack of control over the matter doesn't end there.

If, by chance, residents voted down adding to their debt load, IHA could still order the regional district to proceed with borrowing and implementation of the plan.  Public input would be cast aside.

In the end, RDNO has done a thorough investigation of options and has developed a plan that should meet our needs. 

Whether that plan becomes a reality eventually is anybody's guess at this stage of the game.

Stay tuned."

"Just like Coldstream's referendum on the new Municipal Hall--where people voted 'no' and they built it anyway--why don't we save the referendum cost since results 'can be cast aside'," asks Kia..."oh yes, it's Victoria's rules that demand a referendum take place for capital borrowing."


Heaven forbid that we'd save the referendum costs (~$100,000 of taxpayer money) and actually put it towards the master water plan!


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