Green light given to Duteau project

Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: March 06, 2011 1:00 AM 
More enhancements to Greater Vernon’s water supply are proceeding under pressure from the Interior Health Authority.  The Greater Vernon Advisory Committee has given early budget authorization for $160,000 to be spent on the Duteau Creek filtration pilot project and conceptual design.  “It’s important that we finish it this year because we may be ordered to do it,” said Arnold Badke, the North Okanagan Regional District’s engineering general manager.  IHA has stated that filtration must be in place by 2015, and that a pilot study and the selection of treatment technology must occur by late 2012. “Greater Vernon has currently been out of compliance with the Drinking Water Protection Act for several years,” Dr. Paul Hasselback, IHA medical health officer, told the regional district board Wednesday. The projected cost for filtration is about $20 million, and it will reduce the potential risk from water-borne illnesses.

“We have been told we’re not in compliance and that’s why we have to do this,” said director Patrick Nicol.  Support for the pilot project was unanimous.  “It’s doing our due diligence and collecting the data we need to collect,” said director Jim Garlick.  However, there are some concerns that IHA is forcing GVAC to take a direction that may not be necessary.  “What happens if we don’t do filtration?” said director Mike Gavinchuk.  “Is the water that bad? Maybe we should challenge filtration.” Director Wayne Lippert points out that data presented by IHA is from 2007 and may not reflect the current situation.  “We’ve put a number of things in place since then. They have a responsibility to give us good data,” he said.  Director Ted Osborn also has similar concerns.  “We don’t want to get into a position where we’re putting money into old technology because things are changing very quickly,” he said of treatment methods.  Besides the $60,000 for the pilot project and designs, a consultant will be utilized at a cost of $108,040 and $51,960 is being set aside for forecasted allowances and contingencies.