Selected Morning Star Newsclips - In case you missed them

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GVW Information Bulletin -Mission Hill WTP closed

"The Mission Hill Treatment Plant treats water from Kalamalka Lake with Ultra Violet Disinfection but does not have filtration; therefore the water quality can be vulnerable to changes occurring in and around the lake. The decision to turn off the Kalamalka Lake water source was based on increased turbidity from spring run-off, especially noted in Coldstream Creek and its affect on the intake in Kalamalka Lake. All water in the Greater Vernon service area will be supplied from the Duteau Creek Water Treatment Plant (DCWTP) to avoid issuing a Boil Water Notice to customers normally on Kalamalka Lake."

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It is true that Mission Hill Treatment Plant has no filtration but has ultraviolet disinfection.

The Duteau Creek Treatment Plant has neither filtration nor ultraviolet disinfection. The question is: is the non disinfected DC water any safer than the ultraviolet treated Mission Hill water?

What was the turbidity index at the time Mission Hill was shut down?

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Selected Morning Star Newsclips - In case you missed them

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Should water supply be used to fetter growth?

Key Principle "e." states  that "Water supply would not be used to fetter growth. I assume the same principle was used in California when they believed that growth has no boundaries. California now is beginning to face the reality.

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Selected Morning Star Newsclips - In case you missed them

 

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Glyphosate (roundup) is proven carcigen.

It is now admitted by the International Cancer Agency that glyphosate residues in engineered food cause cancer.

 

The glyphosate used in Roundup ready GM crops is now proven to be a human carcinogen and it is also proven it makes its way into underground and surface water. Shouldn't this be enough to cause great concerns among people responsible for the safety of our water?

One way councils can make sure they put safety first would be to declare their intention to see GM crops replaced by organic agriculture, without pesticides and herbicides. Read more.

 

Huguette Allen

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Group Seeks Council Support For Water Change - KISS FM

Written by Peter McIntyre 
Tuesday, 24 March 2015 04:17

The group Citizens for Change says Greater Vernon residents are getting hosed on their water rates.

Former city manager Eric Jackson told Vernon council, using the Duteau Creek source for domestic and farming is the reason the rates have tripled since 2003.

"The impact of this is that people on fixed incomes are finding it very difficult to pay their water bills. It's making Vernon less competitive with other Okanagan cities," says Jackson.

The group wants a change in the master water plan to make Duteau Creek water just for farming, and using Kal and Okanagan lakes for domestic.

"The high costs that citizens are paying is now going to to pay for expensive treatment of the worst quality water that we have in this area," says Jackson, who served as director of water reclamation for the city for 25 years and is currently a professor at Okanagan College.

Councillor Juliette Cunningham -- who is also Greater Vernon Advisory Committee chair -- says they will get public input as part of the process.

"I don't think we can assume to know what failed. Was it the plan, or the funding for the plan? I don't think any of us are really clear about that, and it's something we need to clarify," Cunningham tells Kiss FM.

Council will discuss the group's request for support at its next meeting April 13.

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Actually, I am quite sure I know what failed: it was the referendum that asked people to approve the borrowing of $70 million for 6 specific projects of the Master Water Plan. The $70 million was not for unspecified expenditures: it was quite specific. No money - no plan.

I could be wrong and if you fellow water customers think I am wrong you can correct me by commenting on this blog.

The Citizens' group also made the presentation to Coldstream Council on Monday night. I welcome all ratepayers to provide input.

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KISS FM is polling residents as to their preferences for drinking water supply. You may participate in the voting by clicking on the above post. Let your choice known!

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Media Release - District of Coldstream

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Selected Morning Star Newsclips - In case you missed them

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Master Water Plan Concerns - Sun FM News release

Posted on 3/19/2015 by Media Release

 

The Citizens for Change to the Master Water Plan will make presentations to both Vernon and Coldstream councils next week

.

The group says they want to represent the majority of area voters who said "No" to borrowing $70 Million to fund 6 projects to further develop the Duteau Creek Water System. The Citizen's group will offer a 10 minute illustrated presentation highlighting the need to re-evaluate the direction of the current MWP. The Greater Vernon Water Authority continues to promote Duteau Creek as the main source for drinking water. This results in the continuation of providing filtered and chlorinated water for agricultural activity and while we use this water for fields and crops the cost of drinking water escalates.

Coldstream residents voted 2 to 1 to deny funding for continued Duteau Creek development, and the Citizen's group will offer a proposed alternative to the MWP which will recommend reverting the Duteau Creek water supply back to agriculture-as was the original intent. Their recommendation will be to evaluate the use of both Okanagan and Kalamalka Lakes as the primary source for drinking water for the Region. The Group says current domestic, commercial, agricultural and recreational water bills are unsustainable, a disincentive to new business locating in our region and are creating a problem for the entire water user base.

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RDNO Press Release - Composter Rebate

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Selected Morning Star Newsclips - In case you missed them

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Coldstream Council Meeting - March 23, 2015

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GVW Media Release - Snow pack report.

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RDNO Board of Directors Meeting - March 18, 2015

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Selected Morning Star Newsclips - In case you missed them

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Selected Morning Star Newsclips - In case you missed them

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Alleged speeder pulled over in Coldstream

By  Staff Writer - Vernon Morning Star

 posted Mar 10, 2015 at 9:00 AM

A motorist caught the eye of an RCMP officer Saturday.

At about 7:21 a.m., an officers noticed a Subaru car at Highway 6 and Ricardo Road in Coldstream that appeared to be speeding.

“The car was travelling 56 kilometres over the posted 80-kilometre per hour speed limit when he checked his radar,” said Gord Molendyk, RCMP spokesperson.

“While our officer was dealing with the driver he noticed an odour of liquor on his breath. The driver was asked to provide two roadside breath samples. They resulted in a fail.”

A 21-year-old Vernon man has been charged with excessive speed and issued a 90-day immediate roadside prohibition and notice of impoundment.

“The North Okanagan Traffic Service are noticing the speeds are starting to increase again with the warm weather,” said Molendyk.

“They wish to remind everyone to slow down, and get to your destination safe without endangering others on the highway.”

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Have you lost money? - Vernon RCMP seeking owner of found money

• by  Staff Writer - Vernon Morning Star
  
• posted Mar 10, 2015 at 10:00 AM

If you lost a significant sum of money in Vernon, you may want to contact the RCMP.

A woman out walking her dog March 4 at 8 p.m. in the area of Bodwell Road and Pottery Road discovered an envelope on the ground.

“The envelope was sealed and when she opened it she discovered it had a fairly large amount of cash inside,” said Vernon RCMP spokesperson Gord Molendyk.

It appears the owner of the envelope had a purpose for the cash as it was written on the front of the envelope.

The owner of this money can claim it at the police station. The police are sure the owner can identify the amount and the purpose it was intended by what was on the envelope.

The owner can call the Vernon RCMP at 250-545-7171 and refer to file number 2015-4331.

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Selected Morning Star Newsclips - In case you missed them

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