A hillside in rural Lumby is being transformed into the site of a multi-million-dollar infrastructure project.Heavy equipment is moving dirt and removing trees as part of the construction of the new Duteau Creek water treatment plant for thousands of residents in Greater Vernon.
“We’re well on our way because the last time I was here, there were a heck of a lot more trees,” said Jerry Oglow, North Okanagan Regional District chairman.
Work on the $30 million initiative began Oct. 13 and a ground-breaking ceremony was held Wednesday.
“It’s a couple of years late but I’m pleased it’s going ahead,” said Stan Field, BX-Silver Star director.
The plant has been on the drawing board for many years but construction was delayed because of an environmental review and consultation with local First Nations.
“It’s a complex project. It required considerable senior government funding and that took time to work through the system,” said Oglow.
The main contract for the project will be awarded soon and it’s anticipated the plant will be completed in the spring of 2010.
The plant — which will provide a maximum of 155,000 cubic metres of treated water daily — will use clarification to reduce the visible particulate matter and natural organic material in the water.
“It will greatly reduce the colour issue,” said Al Cotsworth, Greater Vernon’s water utility manager.
By removing the particulate and organic material, it could lead to a significant decease in the use of chlorine required for disinfection.
“The need for boil water alerts will also be incredibly reduced,” said Cotsworth.
It is nice to see that finally after nearly five years of approving the borrowing of $35 million the project got underway. Some people might question the timing, being just before the election, but seeing that four of the five "diggers" are not running for office this cynicism might not be justified.
However, there are other, more justified questions that could be raised. Let's consider some of them.
The first question we might ask is: if the construction was delayed for so many years why could we not have the rate increases delayed until we actually needed the funds? Water rates increased from $0.35 to $0.80 per cubic meter with absolutely no benefit to most of the Coldstream (and Electoral Area) customers. They anticipate completion in 2010. If politicians accepted the delays in the benefits they should have done the right thing and delayed the rate increases.
Had we done so we would have avoided the present major dilemma of reallocating the accumulated reserves as the City has pulled out from the originally agreed water agreement. Right now there is an arbitrator working with the participants trying to resolve the issues. This could be a good issue for the candidates at the next all candidates forum! Why accumulate all these reserves in advance?
The following comments do not give the desired comfort:
“It will greatly reduce the colour issue,” said Al Cotsworth, Greater Vernon’s water utility manager.and"“The need for boil water alerts will also be incredibly reduced,” said Cotsworth.
Another disturbing fact is that once the Duteau Creek plant is finished all of us on the east side of Kalamalka Lake in Coldstream will be switched over to this new water source from the present Kalamalka source. For my money, that will represent a reduction in quality of service not an improvement.
Clarification of these issues could be another good question for the incumbent candidates. If they take our money with the promise of increased quality service they should provide us with improved and not inferior quality.
Since the next improvement is not scheduled before 2015 our chances of getting the quality of water Vernon is receiving are nil. So why should we be charged the same price for our water as those customers in Vernon are? Any takers?
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