Directors recommend water rates bylaw

ROGER KNOX Mar. 10, 2018 6:30 a.m.LOCAL NEWS MORNING STAR

GVAC directors approve bylaw that shows 2.9 per cent hike for users, 3.7 per cent for agriculture.
Final approval is still needed by the Regional District of North Okanagan, but a hike in water rates is on tap. Greater Vernon Advisory Committee directors are recommending adopting the Greater Vernon Water Rates Imposition bylaw. Directors voted to recommend adopting a bylaw that would see implementation of three-year rates for 2018-2020. The rates would be effective April 1 this year, and Jan. 1 for 2019 and 2020. A one per cent increase over inflation in the metered consumption rate and infrastructure base would be included for all three years, resulting in a 2.9 per cent hike. There would be a 3.7 per cent increase in 2018 and 2019 for agriculture and a 2.9 per cent hike in 2020.
The master water plan, endorsed by the RDNO board in November, and accepted by Interior Health in January, sets a long-term goal of 20 years of an annual average life cycle investment of $9 million to $13.5 million per year to ensure sustainibility of the Greater Vernon Water Utility. A financial implementation strategy recommends a short-term goal of a five per cent rate increase phased in over five years over and above inflation. “What staff have done makes sense,” said Area C director Mike Macnabb. “It’s secure. It’s a signal to customers of what we’re going to do over time. Agriculture agreed to the increase. We’ve had these discussions. We have a utility to run and that shouldn’t be predicated on found money (government grants).” Coldstream directors Jim Garlick and Doug Dirk and Vernon director Bob Spiers were opposed. “This is about lobbying and moving into the future, not dismantling the master water plan,” said Dirk of Thursday’s debate.Added Garlick: “I’m not dismantling the master water plan. It’s how are we going to pay for it. One hundred per cent of users get water from Greater Vernon. We have a large stake in this.”

No Extra Water Release From RDNO Reservoirs

Vernon, BC, Canada / 1075 Beach Radio Vernon Pete McIntyre February 28, 2018 07:40 am
The Regional District of North Okanagan won’t be making any changes to how much water is released from its reservoirs in the Aberdeen Plateau. The village of Lumby has requested early releases, to prevent possible flooding in the spring, given the above normal snow pack. RDNO’s chief administrative officer David Sewell says flood control isn’t what the reservoirs are for.“There is release of water going on right now which is preventing some of the buildup in the reservoirs. But the reservoirs, their design and location are intended for water supply, not flood control. The build of those reservoirs is to capture water for supply for when there isn’t rains and there isn’t water elsewhere available.” ewell says the storage facilities are too small to be used for that purpose, and they have to ensure an adequate water supply for Greater Vernon. ” We presented the opportunity for the Village of Lumby to add height to our Abderdeen Dam to increase some flood control capabilities, but that’s not something that’s been taken up right now. I think they’re working in other areas.” Sewell says they are considering snow pack levels in how much they are releasing, but says even if they were to release more, it wouldn’t be a guarantee against flooding in Lumby.

Interior Health accepts the Greater Vernon Water 2017 Master Water Plan

Posted Tuesday, January 30, 2018
As a result of hard work by Regional District elected officials, staff, and members of the Greater Vernon Master Water Plan Stakeholder Advisory Committee, the Regional District has received notice from Interior Health that the Greater Vernon Water (GVW) 2017 Master Water Plan (MWP) has been accepted.

The MWP provides a detailed assessment of the current status of the GVW system, and provides direction to ensure compliance with provincial standards to safeguard health and to meet future water needs based on predicted growth for the next 40 years.

The MWP was prepared in partnership between the Regional District, City of Vernon, and the District of Coldstream. It incorporates the technical work completed in 2012 with updates to the long term supply and treatment strategy based on recommendations from the Stakeholder Advisory Committee (2015-2016), results of recent studies, provincial policy changes, and other relevant information. Work in 2017 focused on updating the financing strategy to support infrastructure renewal as well as upgrades to the water system, recognizing the need to balance the needs of current customers with the long term costs of maintaining a safe water supply. It is a more affordable plan that will meet provincial standards and ensure the utility is sustainable into the future.

The Regional District would like to thank the members of the Stakeholder Advisory Committee for providing their time, effort and valuable assistance to enable the Regional District to complete the review and move forward with the 2017 MWP.

For more information, please visit the RDNO website at http://www.rdno.ca/index.php/services/engineering/water/greater-vernon-water/master-water-plan or contact our office at 250-550-3700.

• MEDIA RELEASE - Interior Health accepts the Greater Vernon Water 2017 Master Water Plan

Ultraviolet Disinfection at DCWTP Project -

http://www.rdno.ca/docs/2017_Bid_Awards.pdf

Total Contracts Awarded to Date: $6,396,678.65
The North Okanagan Regional District has secured nearly $6 million in a grant from the provincial government’s Clean Water and Wastewater Fund. The $5.8 million will be used for a UV disinfection system at the Duteau Creek Water Treatment Plant.

2016 annual water report

http://www.rdno.ca/index.php/services/engineering/water/greater-vernon-water

• GVW 2016 Annual Report

Prepared for: Interior Health and RDNO Prepared by: Renee Clark, Water Quality Manager, RDNO Contributors: RDNO Engineering Department Regional District of North Okanagan 9848 Aberdeen Road, Coldstream, BC June 30, 2017

Duteau Creek Water Treatment Plant UV UpgradesTender

Awarded Bids (So Far)
Bid No. Description Closing Date Awarded to: Award Value
2017-E372.09.1 Ultraviolet Disinfection at Duteau Creek Water
Treatment Plant Project – Engineering Services
20-Jan-2017 Opus International Consultants (Canada) Ltd.
$399,870.00 (plus GST)

2017-E372.09.2 Ultraviolet Disinfection at
DCWTP Project - Equipment
23-Mar-2017 Xylem Canada Company
 1,243,340.00 (plus GST)

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Duteau Creek Water Treatment Plant UV UpgradesTender No. 2017-E372-09.4  Closing Date: Thursday, August 10, 2017 - 2:00 pm
The Regional District of North Okanagan, hereinafter referred to as “Owner”, invites tenders for Regional District of North Okanagan Tender No. 2017-E372-09.4, the Duteau Creek Water Treatment Plant UV Upgrades (DCWTP UV Upgrades).
The work includes the supply of all labour, materials and equipment to construct the Duteau Creek WTP UV Building and related facilities. The work includes, but is not limited to, the earthworks, concrete works, structural, installation of owner supplied UV equipment, mechanical and electrical systems necessary for the complete upgrade as detailed in the Contract Documents.

IHA engaging on drinking water

ROGER KNOX MORNING STAR Fri Jul 7th, 2017 1:30pm LOCAL NEWS

It’s a lofty goal for Interior Health: provide clean, safe, reliable water for all people at all times, and be 100 per cent compliant with the guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality. Lofty, yes. Attainable, though? “There is this interesting understanding or belief system through most of the Interior Health region, but certainly in the Okanagan, that water is pristine; that the water around us is clean and fantastic,” said Dr. Trevor Corneil, IHA’s chief medical officer, addressing Greater Vernon Advisory Committee directors on his report: Drinking Water in Interior Health, released in January. “Well it is, but it’s not necessarily clean enough for drinking and that’s the problem.” As an example, Corneil talked about the discovery of arsenic in the water after the Mt. Polley mine disaster in the Cariboo a couple of years ago, and how the discovery was upsetting to the community. “There’s arsenic in all the water in lakes in B.C.,” he said. “The belief system is the water is pure, but that’s not the reality. The reality is water has limitations in terms of health, particularly when dealing with large populations, and we need to address that with all the tools we have in our tool box.” Corneil’s report looks at the progress of water purveyors in meeting provincial standards, and reviews health impacts from waterborne diseases, assesses the number of public notifications in relation to water system improvements and the implementation of a multiple-barrier approach to protecting public health.

Interior Health oversees more than 1,900 individual drinking water systems in its region, and Corneil said IH works collaboratively with its First Nations partners with respect to hundreds more. The IH team within its Drinking Water Program “works hard to understand the challenges and opportunities of each water system.”“Our biggest focus is around community engagement,” he said, referring to the up-and-running website  drinkingwaterforeveryone.ca. “The website is an opportunity to begin a dialogue and educate those who need education on what clean water is from a health perspective. That’s a piece we haven’t done at the regional level and we are committed to moving forward with that.”

Corneil told GVAC directors there is support available in terms of funding capital improvements. “There are infrastructure funding grants and capital grants,” he said. “Interior Health’s role is to help provide you with what you need to put together your applications. The better the application,and the more criteria it meets with respect to the Canadian Drinking Water guidelines, the stronger letter of support we’re able to write in terms of funding. “Our job is really to help you as a committee address what grants are available to you and how you might look to fund what is full treatment, including filtration, of both your major sources (Duteau Creek and Kalamalka Lake) in the years to come.”

GVAC chairperson Juliette Cunningham said it’s encouraging for directors that discussions are happening about the recognition that the Regional District of North Okanagan need help in term of funding. “For us that’s been the biggest challenge,” said Cunningham. “It appears to me there is a willingness to work with us.”
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https://rdno.civicweb.net/document/75813
GREATER VERNON ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING
Thursday, July 6, 2017 Boardroom - 9848 Aberdeen Road, Coldstream, BC 9:00 a.m.

D. DELEGATIONS
1. Drinking Water in Interior Health - Report Presentation
Dr. Trevor Corneil, Chief Medical Health Officer, Interior Health Authority Gordon Moseley, Specialist Environmental Health Officer, Interior Health Authority
• PowerPoint Presentation Page 8 - 17
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G. NEW BUSINESS
1. Drinking Water in Interior Health
• Staff report dated June 21, 2017
RECOMMENDATION 3 Page 18 - 77
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Excerpts: (Click to enlarge)

IHA Water Presentation at GVAC Thursday.

https://rdno.civicweb.net/document/75813
GREATER VERNON ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING
Thursday, July 6, 2017 Boardroom - 9848 Aberdeen Road, Coldstream, BC 9:00 a.m.

D. DELEGATIONS
1. Drinking Water in Interior Health - Report Presentation
Dr. Trevor Corneil, Chief Medical Health Officer, Interior Health Authority Gordon Moseley, Specialist Environmental Health Officer, Interior Health Authority
• PowerPoint Presentation Page 8 - 17
--------
G. NEW BUSINESS
1. Drinking Water in Interior Health
• Staff report dated June 21, 2017
RECOMMENDATION 3 Page 18 - 77
That the report dated June 21, 2017 from the Manager, Utility Operations titled “Dr. Corneil, Chief Medical Health Officer, presentation on the Drinking Water in Interior Health report
released in January 2017” be received for information.

Greater Vernon Water Master Water Plan Financial Implementation Strategy

https://rdno.civicweb.net/document/74346  (P.111-127)
• Staff report dated May 29, 2017
• Staff presentation (to be circulated)
RECOMMENDATION 6 Page 111 - 127
That the report dated May 29, 2017 from the Manager, Utility Operations and the General Manager, Finance titled “Greater Vernon Water Master Water Plan Financial Implementation
Strategy ” be received for information.
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Excerpts: (Click to enlarge)

Duteau Creek Water Treatment Plant Project - Awarded Bids.

http://www.rdno.ca/docs/2017_Bid_Awards.pdf

Water Report Calls For Investment

Vernon, BC, Canada / 1075 KISS FMPete McIntyre June 07, 2017 04:46 pm

Health officials are urging Interior communities — like Greater Vernon — to move forward with system improvements, to make drinking water safer. That’s one of the recommendations from a new report on water systems by Interior Health. Medical Health Officer Dr. Trevor Corneil says water suppliers tend to over-rely on advisories or notices for water health concerns, which he says makes people forget there’s still a risk. “They tend to forget individuals who are at highest risk, whether its children, pregnant women, the elderly, or others with immune disorders, actually do have to boil their water and can’t drink the water coming out of the tap,” says Corneil. He says the notices and advisories also give water suppliers a reason to not improve their infrastructure. “A city does have to invest. A city has to support its infrastructure. And this is where provincial and federal grants come in. They match, and can cover significant portions of those costs,” Corneil tells Kiss FM. Interior Health has been urging local politicians to add more filtration to the Duteau and Kal Lake systems, each with multi million dollar price tags. Corneil says the report should serve as a reset button on drinking water. “This is really an opportunity for Vernon specifically to reset that button and to look at the data in a new way, and to work with Interior Health on improvements. I think Vernon is a great example of a city that has struggled with water. We know they have a high frequency of water advisories.” Among the report’s recommendations is a more collaborative engagement process with water operators and First Nations communities, to ensure sustainable improvements are made and provincial water treatment objectives are achieved by 2025. “This could include upgrades to water treatment facilities, improved source protection, and the development of response plans to help protect public health during unexpected situations,” adds Corneil.

RDNO To Apply For Grant For Water Filtration

Vernon, BC, Canada / 1075 KISS FM Tom Mark May 19, 2017 06:17 am
The Regional District of North Okanagan is committing itself to have a filtration system installed at the Mission Hill Water Treatment Plant. RDNO Board Chair Bob Fleming says the board approved seeking a government grant for a much needed system ” there’s two treatment systems, chlorine obviously. The other is UV light. The ultimate solution to make sure that we continue to meet Interior Health guidelines would be filtration.” Fleming says senior government funding is needed to help with it. ” yeah, So that’s a combination, the Strategic Priorities Fund, I think it’s the one and it’s a joint federal-provincial funding mechanism for waste water and water treatment.”Fleming says an application will be submitted as soon as possible. A filtration system would cost about 36 million dollars.” Unless we get senior levels of government contributing to the funding in a significant way that will be deferred which is fine for the time being.”He says a filtration system is on the back burner for the Duteau plant but will be part of a review of the Master Water Plan.

New cash for Greater Vernon Water means costly filtration system may be avoided

March 17, 2017 - 9:00 PM By Charlotte Helston CASTANET
VERNON - 
A partial solution to Greater Vernon’s water quality woes is coming down the pipes.The North Okanagan Regional District has secured nearly $6 million in a grant from the provincial government’s Clean Water and Wastewater Fund. The $5.8 million will be used for a UV disinfection system at the Duteau Creek Water Treatment Plant. The funding announcement comes a few years after the failed 2014 borrowing referendum for $70 million in Greater Vernon Water upgrades, including a new filtration system at the community’s primary source of drinking water, the Duteau Creek Water Treatment Plant. Currently, the Greater Vernon Water system doesn’t meet provincial water quality standards. “Putting in the UV disinfection will hopefully give us good results in terms of Interior Health testing our water, so we can defer the full filtration at Duteau, which is a significant cost,” Greater Vernon Advisory Committee chair Juliette Cunningham says. While it remains unknown if the pricey filtration system will be necessary one day, Cunningham says they have at least bought some time. “That’s one of the advantages of having had the referendum fail, because this has given us more options to look at in terms of technology, and other effective methods to improve the water without going to that final stage of filtration,” Cunningham says. The province has also announced roughly $3 million for the Okanagan Landing Sewer Extension Project in Vernon, $100,000 for the Coldstream Sewer Extension, and about $200,000 each for Long-Term Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrades and Groundwater Supply Evaluation and Monitoring Well Construction in Lumby. “The near $9.4 million combined investment in the North Okanagan will support important infrastructure improvements for treatment and wastewater projects,” Vernon-Monashee MLA Eric Foster says in a media release.

Central Okanagan water systems getting over $85 million from province

By Jenna Hickman InfoTel News arch 17, 2017 - 4:41 PM

KELOWNA - The provincial government handed out over $85 million for water systems in the Central Okanagan this afternoon. The funding announcements from the province's Clean Water and Wastewater Fund were made at a media conference in Kelowna this afternoon, March 17. Kelowna is getting close to $44 million from in government funding for the City's Integrated Water Supply Plan, West Kelowna will receive over $41 million for the Rose Valley Water Treatment Plant and the regional district is getting about $602,000 for a project to improve the Falcon Ridge Water System. “This is the largest grant amount the City of Kelowna can recall receiving, so we’re thrilled,” Kelowna mayor Colin Basran says. “This is a really significant day because it sets in motion this 2017 Integrated Water Supply Plan and it is a great first step.” The project, which was announced March 1, is a long-term plan aimed to supply Kelowna residents with clean water. The total cost of the project is $61.3 million, with a combined local contribution of $17.4 million. Since his election in 2014, Basran has made it a priority to address Kelowna’s water issues. Further engineering work needs to be done, but he says the City aims to provide the majority of South East Kelowna Irrigation District ratepayers with water by late 2019 and to all customers in the city by 2020. The over $41 million for West Kelowna will put construction of the Rose Valley Water Treatment Plant five years ahead of schedule. “The City of West Kelowna is grateful beyond words for this generous contribution, which will put us on the fast track to building a state of the art facility with the aim of bringing water quality assurances to the entire northern half of our city,” Mayor Doug Findlater says.
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http://coldstreamernews.blogspot.ca/2017/03/kelowna-recives-44-million-for-domestic.html

Canada and British Columbia invest in 144 new water and wastewater infrastructure projects across the province Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/3274588#ixzz4bbzzwrnH

$9 Million For Water Projects

Vernon, BC, Canada / 1075 KISS FM Pete McIntyre March 17, 2017 12:05 pm 
The BC and federal governments have announced over 9 million dollars in funding for water projects in the North Okanagan.The announcements include 5.8 million dollars for the Duteau Creek Treatment Plant UV disinfection addition, along with just over three million dollars for a sewer extension project in Vernon’s Okanagan Landing. Vernon Monashee MLA Eric Foster denies the announcements are election related.“This is the typical year end, when you’ve got a surplus, capital projects. In years when you don’t have a surplus, or have a smaller surplus, you can’t do as much. We just happen to have a lot of money this year,” Foster tells Kiss FM.Also getting grants are Coldstream and Lumby for water projects: $107,900 for Coldstream sewer line extension, $200,176 for a groundwater supply evaluation & monitoring well construction in Lumby, and $198,477 for a long-term wastewater treatment plant upgrades in Lumby.


https://www.canada.ca/en/office-infrastructure/news/2017/03/backgrounder_canadaandbritishcolumbiaannouncenewwaterandwastewat.html

The governments of Canada and British Columbia have approved a new list of projects under the Clean Water and Wastewater Fund (CWWF), which supports the rehabilitation of community drinking water and wastewater infrastructure and the planning and design of future systems that meet drinking water and wastewater effluent standards.

The Government of Canada allocated $225,067,721 to British Columbia under the CWWF and will fund up to 50 per cent of the eligible project costs. The Government of British Columbia will provide up to $148.5 million and will fund 33 per cent of the eligible project costs. With local governments providing the remainder, a combined total of $450 million will provide B.C. families with clean and reliable drinking water and wastewater services.

As part of the bilateral agreement between Canada and British Columbia, the following 144 projects have now been approved for federal funding amounting to more than $186.6 million. Combined with provincial funding of nearly $123.2 million and local government contributions of over $63.4 million, more than $373.2 million will be going toward projects across the province.
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Location Project Name Federal Funding Provincial Funding Municipal Funding Anticipated Start Date

 

Ultraviolet Disinfection at Duteau Creek Water Treatment Plant Project – Engineering Services

http://www.rdno.ca/tenders/2017_Bid_Awards.pdf

Water rates to climb

By Kate Bouey - CASTANET Dec 15, 2016 / 3:08 pm |
Greater Vernon Water rates will be going up 3.7 per cent each year for the next three years. The plan got approval Thursday from members of the Greater Vernon Advisory Committee. Vernon director Bob Spiers was opposed, believing rates for water consumption should be based on the budget needed for that year to meet the operating costs of the water utility. “A 3.7 per cent increase across the board for rates would not acknowledge the new customers each year that are added to the system that would bring added revenue to the water function,” Spiers said. “The base fee for each new customer is $95 per quarter ($380 annually) plus revenue from their consumption. “The three year rate increase should be based on the budgeted operating costs over the next three years only, not an across the board hike.” Spiers said the money will just build up reserves and ultimately be used for capital projects, such as filtration at Mission Hill, so the amount of borrowing will be reduced in an effort to persuade the public to okay the project in a borrowing referendum. “All major capital projects should be financed only through grants and/or borrowing so the people who benefit over the next 20 years are the ones who will still be using the water system. “My money is being built up in the reserves and if it is used for large capital works projects then I hope to get a thank you if I move or pass on in the next 20 years.”

GVAC's recommendation will be presented to the North Okanagan Regional District board for approval. It reads: that it be recommended to the Board of Directors that the Greater Vernon Water Rates be increased annually over the next three years based on 1.7 per cent CPI and two per cent to meet the O&M and Capital Improvements resulting in an overall annual increase of 3.7 per cent in the GVW budget.

Greater Vernon water rates climb

by Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Vernon posted Dec 15, 2016 at 10:00 AM
The Greater Vernon Advisory Committee agreed Thursday to hike water rates 3.7 per cent annually over three years. “This helps to spread out the pain. It seems reasonable to me,” said Juliette Cunningham, chairperson. Of the 3.7 per cent, 1.7 per cent is tied to the consumer price index, while two per cent is linked to operating, maintenance and capital improvements. Opposition came from director Bob Spiers, who says CPI hasn’t hit 1.7 per cent recently. “It’s an arbitrary figure,” he said. Spiers also blasted the two per cent for capital works. “We’re charging the people of today for projects tomorrow,” he said. However, Cunningham disagreed. “I don’t understand that argument, How do we quantify what people borrowed 20 years ago (for facilities) that we are using today?” she said. Directors have also received an update on the master water plan. It includes a filtration pilot study at the Mission Hill plant and possibly putting off filtration at the Duteau plant until after 2030. Director Mike Macnabb is concerned interest rates could climb as the master plan proceeds. “If we pay as we go, we could pay a lot more,” he said of borrowing. David Sewell, Regional District of North Okanagan chief administrative officer, admits there’s a balance between deferring projects to manage costs and accessing favourable financing rates.
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Don Quixote Note:
My vote against a 3.7% rate increase each year for the next 3 years is based on my belief that rates for water consumption should be based on the budget that is required each year to meet the operating costs of the Utility. A 3.7% increase across the board for rates would not acknowledge the new customers each year that are added to the system that would bring added revenue to the water function that should be used to lower rates. The base fee for each new customer is $95 per quarter ($380 annually) plus revenue from their consumption. The 3 year rate increase should be based on the budgeted operating costs over the next 3 years only not an across the board hike.

The method  adopted will simply built up the new rate stabilization reserve and the operating reserve that will be ultimately used in some instances for  Capital Projects like Filtration of Mission Hill in 2020-21 so the amount of Borrowing will be reduced and the public will be persuaded to pass the borrowing referendum. All major Capital Projects should be financed only through grants and or borrowing so the people who benefit over the next 20 years are the ones who will still be using the water system. The money built up in reserves through over charging water customers should not be the source of financing for our Master Water Plan Large Capital projects.

My money is being built up in the reserves and if it is used for large Capital Works Projects then I hope to get a thank you if I move or pass on in the next 20 years.

Improvements on tap for Greater Vernon water

by Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Vernon posted Nov 23, 2016 at 6:00 AM

Attempts to improve water quality are going farther into Kalamalka Lake. Greater Vernon Water is in the process this week of extending the Westkal Road intake by 78 metres. “It was one of the recommendations in our watershed assessment,” said Renee Clark, water quality manager. Once the project is completed, the intake will be about 300 metres long. On top of this, the pipe will be raised from its current 0.6 metres off of the bottom of the lake to three metres. “This will help improve water quality by not pulling sediments off of the bottom of the lake during storms,” said Clark. A chlorine line has also been added, but it may never be used. “If invasive mussels show up, you do spurts of chlorine to keep them from attaching to the screens and clogging infrastructure,” said Clark. The budget for the project is $341,000, and it could possibly delay the need for filtration on the Kalamalka Lake source.

$7M for water treatment

By Kate Bouey - CASTANET Nov 4, 2016 / 5:00 am
A total of $7 million is needed for construction of an ultraviolet treatment and air scrubbing system at the Duteau Creek water treatment plant but a huge chunk of that money may be sought from a joint federal-provincial program. Greater Vernon Water staff have been investigating the potential for UV treatment in an effort to meet drinking water standards set by Interior Health. Despite the pricetag, staff said it is far cheaper than building a filtration system. “A pilot project has been underway in 2016, indicating that UV treatment and chlorine management will be a cost effective alternative to filtration for meeting IH standards,” said a report before the Greater Vernon Advisory Committee. Staff have asked permission to apply for a $5.8 million grant. “I'm quite happy if we can put that in and we can put filtration off for 20 years, that will save us a heck of a lot of money,” said Vernon director Bob Spiers. “The original estimate for filtration (at Duteau) was $25 million. “If we get a grant and our costs go down to 1.2 million...our share...this is a step forward.” Spiers said it also showed that it was beneficial to have turned down the original borrowing. In a referendum a few years ago, taxpayers rejected a request to borrow $70 million for the first phase of a water upgrade, which would have included a $26.5-million filtration plant at the Duteau Creek plant. “The taxpayers should be applauded for turning down the original motion,” Spiers said.
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Also See: http://www.1075kiss.com/top-news-stories/2016/11/03/sights-set-on-federal-water-funds
Don Quixote note: Staff indicated at meeting that the Master Water Plan would state that filtration at Duteau could be delayed well into the future if we installed this  ultraviolet treatment method at Duteau Creek Treatment Plant. (The original plus air scrubbing has been eliminated explaining why original estimate of cost was $8-10 million and the Grant application  is for $5.8 million plus a ratepayers cost of $1.2 million which will be funded through existing reserves).  If the Grant application is denied this project will be scheduled to start in 2018 or 2019 . By turning down the original $70 million borrowing the Filtration Cost of $25.5 million at Duteau were reexamined with a $40,000 targeted peer review of Duteau Filtration and this alternate method was revealed.

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https://rdno.civicweb.net/document/61018  (p.17-19)
Infrastructure Canada Clean Water and Waste Water Fund Grant Application