The City of Vernon is lashing out at allegations that it’s planning to dump treated waste water into Okanagan Lake. Mayor Wayne Lippert is upset with Save Our Lakes and the Vernon Taxpayers Association, which claim the city’s attempt to change its sewer treatment plant operating certificate will allow it to discharge effluent into the lake and to shift away from spray irrigation. “Obviously they’re not understanding what’s going on. If they want to get it straight, they should contact us,” he said. “The application (to the Ministry of the Environment) is just reflecting the changes with the new treatment plant because the quality of the product is better. We’re still using spray irrigation and looking at ways to expand it.” In a press release, the taxpayers association questions if the city is phasing out land-based disposal of treated waste water. Lippert denies that’s the case. “Council’s policy is not to dump into Okanagan Lake because we want to keep the lake clean,” he said. He added that spray irrigation has been extended to the Rise resort and that shows a dedication to the program. Also in its release, the taxpayers association tries to link a cryptosporidium outbreak in Kelowna to the fact that Kelowna discharges waste water into the lake, while also getting its drinking water from that source. “The city (of Vernon) will need Okanagan Lake for future domestic water supply. What happens when the city grows and has to get its water from Okanagan Lake?” it states. However, Lippert points out that the ministry only allows the city to discharge into the lake in emergencies, and that won’t change under the new permit. “We’re not trying to do anything out of line and we fully support not dumping into the lake,” he said. Alan Hill, with Save Our Lakes, doesn’t accept Lippert’s comments. “There appears to be some discrepancy between what the mayor and administration are saying,” said Hill. Hill is convinced that a change to the city’s operating permit will undermine a memorandum of understanding he has with the city that bans discharges unless the level of McKay reservoir reaches a certain level. Hill has written to the ministry opposing the city’s proposal and he wants more information from the city. “I’ve asked them specifically what their plans are for spray irrigation and why it needs to change the permit?” he said. “The current permit should be sufficient to handle any problems.” Under an agreement, the city must also keep the Okanagan Indian Band aware of its sewer operations.“We’re still looking at the proposed plans. We’re not jumping to any conclusions,” said Chief Fabian Alexis.
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CLICK ON CARTOON TO ENLARGE
http://www.vernon.ca/news/docs/060726.pdf
The above link is actual letter from City to the Ministry of Environment. You be the JUDGE !
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