Residents are invited to attend a public information session regarding implementation of Phase 1 of the 2017 Kelowna Integrated Water Supply Plan.

Phase 1 is a $63.7-million multi-year project that includes the separation of agricultural and domestic systems in Southeast Kelowna and delivery of a sustainable water supply to South Okanagan Mission Irrigation District (SOMID) customers. With domestic water being supplied through an extension of the City of Kelowna’s water distribution system, upgrades to the City of Kelowna’s water utility are required for the additional capacity as well as to accommodate future growth.

An informal, come-and-go format, information session will be held:

           Date: June 20
           Time: 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
           Place: South Kelowna Centennial Park (South Kelowna Elementary School, 4176 Spiers Rd.)

Staff from the City of Kelowna, South East Kelowna Irrigation District (SEKID) and consultants will be available to talk to residents and answer questions.

“Many details of the infrastructure project, SEKID transition and agriculture rates are still in planning phases,” said Ron Westlake, City of Kelowna Project Manager. “The information session is intended to give interested residents an idea of the scope of the project, enable them to determine how they might be affected by the different aspects and ensure that they keep up-to-date with future information as it becomes available.”

In order to access funding from federal and provincial sources irrigation districts must integrate with local governments.  Receipt of a $43.9 grant from the Clean Water and Wastewater Fund will see ratepayers of SEKID realize a significant direct cost savings, in addition to completing the project 10 years faster than without government funding.

“During the transition period, SEKID will continue to be the main point of contact for customers,” said Toby Pike, SEKID General Manager. “We look forward to working with the City to ensure a coordinated approach to project construction, merging rates and billing processes and integration of staff until the official integration is complete on January 1, 2020.”

Sign-up to receive email updates about the project and construction information at kelowna.ca/water or visit www.sekid.ca for customer information.

Find out how Kelowna can develop its MWP for a third  (or less) of the cost GVWU is doing it. It will separate the domestic and irrigation systems and will not treat water destined for agricultural use.

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