Water concerns directed to city

Brent Mutis - Vernon Morning Star Published: March 25, 2010 6:00 PM

In the ongoing controversy over increased water fees, Coldstream council is encouraging anyone concerned about increased water rates to take their case to the City of Vernon. Ted Osborn, who represents the agricultural community on water issues, addressed council and said farmers in the area face uncertain times given the nine per cent rate increase approved recently by the North Okanagan Regional District board. “If anyone wants to invest in agriculture in this community, they have very little reliance on water rates in the future,” said Osborn. But the district’s representative at the last NORD meeting, Gyula Kiss, voted in favour of the increase, saying the budget would have passed without his vote anyway. “Water is only part of the budget. If I am the only one voting (against), it’s like I’m grandstanding,” he said. “You don’t want to do that.” He believes the decreased amount of water currently available will produce too little revenue. “In order to meet the required money, we need to sell domestic water to the tune of 8.2 million cubic metres,” said Kiss. “This is going to be a drought year. I am questioning if we’d be able to get enough (water to sell).” The unpredictable nature of the water resource makes it harder to address in a budget, says Kiss. He added that dry conditions leading to water restrictions mean the tax increase is the best option at a time when more water revenue is needed.“It’s not easy to cover all the water expenses when you want to reduce water consumption but at same time cover budget shortfalls,” he said.

Coun. Richard Enns still assured Osborn Coldstream is behind him. “You have the support of the council of Coldstream,” said Enns, adding more heat needs to be put on Vernon.“You need to raise your concerns with them. This is a serious problem.” There are three Vernon councillors that have votes at NORD. “It’s really the council of the City of Vernon that we need to convince,” said Coun. Doug Dirk. “That’s where some of the pressure should go.” Osborn had last week expressed frustration with the representatives of Areas B and C and Coldstream, districts with significant agriculture, because the water rate increase passed at at the regional district unanimously. The rate hike is needed to pay for the operation of the Duteau Creek treatment plant. But Osborn noted agricultural users don’t need treated water. “Quality is not an issue with lake water,” he said. The increase means $19 more per hectare for farmers, up from the $212 already being paid.