Posted on 5/13/2015 by Media Release 105.7 SUN FM
Why are our water rates three times as much as Kelowna? That's just one of the questions the Citizens for Changes to the Master Water Plan want answered. The group is hosting a public forum next week at saying the current Master Water Plan is flawed and taking water from Kal and Okanagan lake would have been much less expensive.
The CCMWP issued the following release:
The CCMWP will offer an illustrated presentation highlighting the need to take a fresh new look at the direction of the current MWP. The Greater Vernon Advisory Committee (GVAC) continues to promote Duteau Creek as the main source for drinking water, but at the same time this treated water is used extensively for agricultural irrigation, resulting in the cost of residential water escalating to unacceptable levels.
Current domestic, commercial, agricultural and recreational water bills are unsustainable, are a disincentive to new business locating in our region, and are creating a hardship for the entire water user base. The residents are now facing water bills that are three times the cost in Kelowna and twice the cost in Penticton. The gap was made even greater, when the Regional District of North Okanagan (RDNO) approved another 2% increase for Greater Vernon water in 2015. The group has identified factors contributing to the excessive costs, which will be discussed at the meeting. Preliminary data suggests that the original Master Water Plan was flawed, and in actual fact, choosing Duteau Creek as our water source for Greater Vernon was a mistake. There is significant evidence that water taken from Kalamalka Lake and Okanagan Lake would have been much less expensive, and todays water rates would have been substantially different.
Our group aims to ensure that the public will, as expressed by the November 15 referendum is upheld, and we are concerned that no alternative plan has been provided since the referendum defeat. It is noted that upgrades to the Duteau Creek facility continue in total disregard for the wishes of the Greater Vernon water users. It is time to recognize the shortcomings of the original plan, to seek citizen input and to encourage our elected representatives to promote the concept of a fresh new look at the MWP before approving anymore expenditures to the Duteau Creek facility.
The Forum is Tuesday at 7pm at the Schubert Centre.
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