It will cost us all more to bathe, wash our clothes and drink water..but especially to water our lawns and gardens. North Okanagan Regional District Board Chair, Herman Halvorson says the board approved the recommendation of a 9 per cent increase, with a big increase in the summer months. The Duteau Creek treatment plant, testing, and on-going upgrades require the additional funding.The jump in water rates along with increases for hydro and medical service premiums this spring could affect low-income earners, according to Annette Sharkey of Vernon's Social Planning Council. She says it will be "tough for them.''Sharkey says government social programs should encompass low income earners so they are not any worse off.
Vernon Mayor Wayne Lippert acknowledges the ``significant'' increase in the water rate adding it was one the board needed to take. He says there are alot of upgrades to the system, including the Duteau Creek treatment plant. He says that higher summer rate will hopefully remind people to conserve water.Local snowpacks are once again below normal in the Okanagan. The Ministry's Bill Kunke says while precipitation levels are low,which is causing a concern, things can change quickly.Six and eight weeks remain to build up a sufficient amount of snow in the upper elevations to ensure adequate water supplies this summer.Kunke says snowpack levels are between 15 and 35 percent below normal due to declining precipitation levels.
1 comment:
Greater Vernon Water always has a 5 year plan-no one has explained the variance from the plan-isn't it time the media did its job by asking questions and isn't it time that the politicians were open and honest with us.
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