Almost $2 million in equipment is being ordered for a new water 
system, but the pipes may sit in storage for awhile. The North Okanagan Regional District board has agreed to purchase clarification equipment for a Duteau Creek treatment plant for $1.8 million. That move came after receiving a recommendation from the Greater Vernon Services Committee Thursday. “The proposal has merit and it’s been well looked at,” said Bill DiPasquale, project manager. However, while the order is being sent in for the equipment, it’s likely space will be needed to store the items until some other critical issues are addressed. Among them is acquiring the necessary land for the treatment plant and determining whether the provincial and federal governments will provide funding for the project. Staff recommended purchasing the equipment now because there’s a time limit to the low bid provided by a Langley firm. After Jan. 2, the equipment would cost an additional $115,000, and the proposal would completely fall off the table Jan. 31. If that were to occur, NORD would have to re-tender the project. Opposition to proceeding came from director Wayne Lippert. “Why buy it if we don’t have the property yet?” he said. Concerns also came from director Barry Beardsell. “It may put part of our grants in jeopardy,” he said of potential two-thirds federal/provincial infrastructure funding. 
But staff insist a grant is only at risk if construction of the treatment plant actually proceeds. Al Cotsworth, water utility manager, added that the clarification equipment won’t likely be included in any grant application because the federal-provincial program is over-subscribed. “It’s highly unlikely the project will be fully funded,” he said of the total price tag of $20 million. “We’re looking for something between $4 and $8 million.” Director Mary Malerby supported staff. “Sitting back and waiting for grants is like operating in the dark. We have to move forward,” she said. “It’s going to cost money one way or the other and this is an opportunity to save $115,000.”
system, but the pipes may sit in storage for awhile. The North Okanagan Regional District board has agreed to purchase clarification equipment for a Duteau Creek treatment plant for $1.8 million. That move came after receiving a recommendation from the Greater Vernon Services Committee Thursday. “The proposal has merit and it’s been well looked at,” said Bill DiPasquale, project manager. However, while the order is being sent in for the equipment, it’s likely space will be needed to store the items until some other critical issues are addressed. Among them is acquiring the necessary land for the treatment plant and determining whether the provincial and federal governments will provide funding for the project. Staff recommended purchasing the equipment now because there’s a time limit to the low bid provided by a Langley firm. After Jan. 2, the equipment would cost an additional $115,000, and the proposal would completely fall off the table Jan. 31. If that were to occur, NORD would have to re-tender the project. Opposition to proceeding came from director Wayne Lippert. “Why buy it if we don’t have the property yet?” he said. Concerns also came from director Barry Beardsell. “It may put part of our grants in jeopardy,” he said of potential two-thirds federal/provincial infrastructure funding. 
But staff insist a grant is only at risk if construction of the treatment plant actually proceeds. Al Cotsworth, water utility manager, added that the clarification equipment won’t likely be included in any grant application because the federal-provincial program is over-subscribed. “It’s highly unlikely the project will be fully funded,” he said of the total price tag of $20 million. “We’re looking for something between $4 and $8 million.” Director Mary Malerby supported staff. “Sitting back and waiting for grants is like operating in the dark. We have to move forward,” she said. “It’s going to cost money one way or the other and this is an opportunity to save $115,000.” 
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