Want to know more about 麻豆AV鈥檚 multi-million dollar, multi-phase plan to create an integrated water supply and distribution system for the city?
Residents are invited to attend a public information session regarding implementation of phase 1 of the 2017 麻豆AV Integrated Water Supply Plan June 20 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at South 麻豆AV Centennial Park (South 麻豆AV Elementary School, 4176 Spiers Road.)
The first phase of the plan will see $63.7-million spent to separate of agricultural and domestic water systems in Southeast 麻豆AV and improve delivery of a sustainable water supply to South Okanagan Mission Irrigation District customers.
Under the plan, domestic water will be supplied through an extension of the City of 麻豆AV鈥檚 water distribution system. Upgrades to the city鈥檚鈥檚 water utility are required for the additional capacity, as well as to accommodate future growth.
As part of the plan, SOMID鈥攚ith only eight properties鈥攚ill join the city鈥檚 water system next summer or fall and the larger South East 麻豆AV Irrigation District (SEKID) will join the city鈥檚 system in 2020.
The three other major residential and agricultural water suppliers in the city鈥擱utland Waterworks, Glenmore-Ellison Irrigation District and Black Mountain Irrigation District鈥攈ave so far refused to join the integrated water plan because they would have to join the city鈥檚 water system. They continue to operate as independent and separate water systems.
The informal information session slated for June 20 will include staff from the City of 麻豆AV, SEKID and consultants who will be available to talk to residents and answer questions.
鈥淢any details of the infrastructure project, SEKID transition and agriculture rates are still in planning phases,鈥� said Ron Westlake, 麻豆AV鈥檚 project manager.
鈥淭he 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.鈥�
In order to access funding from federal and provincial sources, irrigation districts must integrate with local governments. 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.
鈥淒uring the transition period, SEKID will continue to be the main point of contact for customers,鈥� said Toby Pike, SEKID general manager. 鈥淲e 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 Jan. 1, 2020.鈥�
Those interested can sign-up to receive email updates about the project and construction information at kelowna.ca/water or visit www.sekid.ca for customer information.
