Greater Vernon politicians hope costly upgrades to the water utility can be avoided if the province forces the Interior Health Authority to back down. Representatives from Vernon and Coldstream recently met with government cabinet ministers to discuss IHA requiring filtration at the Duteau Creek treatment plant by 2015. The projected cost is $20 million. “She was very upset when we talked about health authorities and standards,” said Wayne Lippert, Vernon mayor, of Healthy Living Minister Ida Chong. “She says her ministry sets the standards. She’s had enough of health authorities setting different standards. IHA falls under her jurisdiction and they will have to follow the standards set by her ministry.” Jim Garlick, Coldstream mayor, got a similar message from Ben Stewart, community development minister. “He believes the standards are too high,” said Garlick. Lippert claims health authorities have set certain standards because of concerns someone may get sick drinking water and pursue legal action.
“There’s been scares across the country and they’re trying to react to the highest standards,” he said. The $29 million Duteau Creek treatment plant has been operating for almost a month. It’s expected to address concerns about the colour of the Duteau source and turbidity (cloudiness). “We have had positive reports from residents that there’s been big improvements with the water,” said Mike Gavinchuk, director for the BX-Swan Lake electoral area. Dignitaries will take part in an official opening of the Whitevale Road plant Oct. 29, while there will be an open house for Greater Vernon residents in May. “We’ll invite the public for tours and the facility will be in better operational mode then,” said Arnold Badke, the North Okanagan Regional Districts general manager of engineering.
1 comment:
Good job Mayor Lippert! Its about time we stop letting IHA make decisions on everything.....including banning hot chocolate from the vending machines at the hospital.....sheesh
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