Some Greater Vernon residents are just days away from turning on the taps to treated water. North Okanagan Regional District officials met with the Interior Health Authority Tuesday to discuss an operational certificate for the Duteau Creek treatment plant. “Being optimistic, within a week we should have the plant operational,” said Arnold Badke, general manager of engineering. “The IHA comments are very positive. We are very close to having this plant online.” Construction of the facility in Whitevale began in early 2009. “It’s been a long process and I’m glad to hear it’s almost up and running,” said director Buffy Baumbrough. “I have seen samples of water from the plant and it looks like the immediate concerns about turbidity and colour will be addressed.” Director Doug Dirk is also happy to see the project coming to life because it gives Lavington residents a break from construction traffic. “In particular, Park Lane has taken a real pounding in the past 18 months,” said Dirk.
Duteau Creek provides water to parts of the BX, Vernon and Coldstream. “I think that the people of Coldstream in particular have been looking forward to improved water quality for a long time,” said Maria Besso, a Coldstream councillor. However, residents are being warned that there may be some turbidity in the short-term as the treated water is introduced into the system and flushing of lines occurs. The softer water may also loosen some mineral deposits that built up in the lines when some areas were on the Antwerp Springs source. “As the structure of mineralization in the water main breaks down, some scaling will result in particulate matter being deposited into the water flow,” said Badke. Testing of the treatment equipment has occurred for about the last two weeks. “Problems are being encountered as is expected but are being rectified as part of the commissioning exercise,” said Badke. While the treatment plant will soon be open, this work is just the first stage of upgrades.
IHA has mandated that filtration must be in place by 2015. The price tag for that is estimated at $20 million. “That cost is outrageous after what we just spent. All we’ve done is spend money, money, money on water,” said director Jack Gilroy. “I don’t know where we’re supposed to get $20 million. The taxpayer is tapped out. I hope the government comes to its senses and gives us a hand.”
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