Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: August 14, 2010 12:00 PM
Changing water sources has tapped into considerable frustration in Coldstream. Some residents are upset the North Okanagan Regional District recently moved customers from the East Kalamalka Lake intake to the Duteau Creek source. “When people bought their homes, many did so because of the quality of the water,” said Gyula Kiss, a Coldstream councillor. “Now they are complaining bitterly that the water is coloured.” There are 145 lots in the affected area plus Kalamalka Secondary School. NORD officials there was no choice but to phase the the East Kal Lake intake out. “It would be very expensive to upgrade the site to meet the (safety) requirements of the Interior Health Authority,” said Arnold Badke, engineering general manager. Badke says that customers were previously receiving a mix of water from the East Kal Lake intake and Antwerp Springs but Antwerp Springs had to be abandoned earlier this year because of contamination.
While there have been complaints about the Duteau Creek source, Badke expects that will soon change. “Within five or six weeks, the Duteau Creek treatment plant will be on line and the water will improve,” he said. The $29 million plant is currently being tested and the goal is for it to start providing water to customers some time in September. Kiss insists the East Kal Lake intake should be reopened and he isn’t convinced the Duteau treatment plant will help. “Until they prove to me that the water is as good as Kal Lake, I’ll have my doubts,” said Kiss.
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