Rural Lumby seeks water utility vote

Published: May 09, 2009 12:00 PM Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star

Rifts are developing over potentially expanding representation at Greater Vernon’s water utility. On Wednesday, discussions were heated as the North Okanagan Regional District considered a request to add rural Lumby director Rick Fairbairn to the utility board. “The treatment plant is wholly located in Area D as are the reservoirs and a large portion of the watershed,” said Fairbairn. About 30 Whitevale properties receive their water from the utility, including some large agricultural acreages, and because of that, Fairbairn insists there should be official representation at the board. “I want the ability to participate in water decisions in important areas for Area D,” he said. Currently, only Vernon, Coldstream, BX-Swan Lake and BX-Silver Star have votes on water issues because they were part of the establishment bylaw that created the utility. But Coldstream director Doug Dirk questions how the voting structure would occur if rural Lumby was added. “We’re talking about a couple of handfuls of properties compared to the rest of the participants,” he said. And as a result of Fairbairn’s demands, Spallumcheen suggests it should also have a vote because some of its residents get water from the utility. “Spallumcheen is more entitled to that option than Area D because of the properties involved and the potential development,” said Will Hansma, township director. The matter was tabled until NORD’s May 20 meeting so staff can put together information on water delivery and the history relating to Whitevale.