by Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star posted Nov 10, 2014 at 4:00 PM
Vernon’s golf courses are getting a break. City council voted Monday to roll back the 2014 reclaimed water rates to 2013 levels, and Predator Ridge and the Rise will be re-invoiced for the 2014 season using 2013 rates. “We’re encouraged,” said Bob Evans, Predator Ridge’s director of development. “It’s obvious that our rates are out of sync with the rest of the industry.” Council has also directed staff to work directly with the golf industry to establish a rate schedule for reclaimed irrigation water. Reclaimed irrigation water rates will be fixed at the 2013 level until council directs otherwise. According to the city, Predator Ridge irrigation rates climbed from $86,057 to $143,352 between 2013 and 2014 while rates at the Rise increased from $16,305 to $31,103. Officials say rolling back rates will not have significant implications for the city as 2013 actual revenue was $161,000 while the 2014 budget called for revenue of $150,000. The Vernon Golf and Country Club also receives reclaimed water but it’s not been charged to date. The course had expected to be billed $141,000 in 2015. The golf courses expressed concerns about the rate structure two weeks ago and Coun. Brian Quiring insists it was critical for the city to act quickly. “They are great corporate citizens and we need to do everything possible to keep them in business,” he said.
Showing posts with label reclaimed water. Show all posts
Showing posts with label reclaimed water. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 11, 2014
Monday, October 27, 2014
Golf Courses Seek Water Fee Cut
Written by Peter McIntyre 107.5 KISSFM Monday, 27 October 2014 06:00
Some Vernon area golf resorts say they are getting soaked on their water rates. Reps from the Rise and Predator Ridge/Wesbild Holdings will speak at Vernon council today, concerned the rates they pay for reclaimed water are set to rise significantly next year. They say the fees have gone up 1,328 percent since 2005, and put them at a major competitive disadvantage to other courses in the valley. The reps maintain Predator Ridge would pay $234,587 dollars next year, up about 90-thousand from this year. They say the Spallumcheen Club plays $15,000 a year for water,Gallagher's Canyon in Kelowna pays $12,000 and the Penticton Club gets to use effluent water at no charge. The local officials want the city to take another look at their rates, or says layoffs or closures could result. The owner of Vernon's Hillview Golf Club has also recently expressed concerns about their rising water rates threatening their future.
Some Vernon area golf resorts say they are getting soaked on their water rates. Reps from the Rise and Predator Ridge/Wesbild Holdings will speak at Vernon council today, concerned the rates they pay for reclaimed water are set to rise significantly next year. They say the fees have gone up 1,328 percent since 2005, and put them at a major competitive disadvantage to other courses in the valley. The reps maintain Predator Ridge would pay $234,587 dollars next year, up about 90-thousand from this year. They say the Spallumcheen Club plays $15,000 a year for water,Gallagher's Canyon in Kelowna pays $12,000 and the Penticton Club gets to use effluent water at no charge. The local officials want the city to take another look at their rates, or says layoffs or closures could result. The owner of Vernon's Hillview Golf Club has also recently expressed concerns about their rising water rates threatening their future.
Monday, April 28, 2014
Coldstreamer's comment on reclaimed water being used for agricultural purposes.
http://coldstreamernews.blogspot.ca/2014/04/waste-water-sought-for-local-crops.html
Vernon’s efforts to promote treated wastewater for agricultural use is laudable. The Save Our Lakes Society formed in the early 1980's promoted the concept of beneficial use and opposed lake discharge of wastewater. However, since we have renewed hope of having wastewater used for agricultural irrigation we need a vehicle to deliver that water to the crops. RDNO Directors recently approved a Plan that would continue domestic and irrigation water to be mixed. This practice would prohibit wastewater to be introduced into the irrigation system? Should we take another look at the plan (a peer review perhaps?)? The current MWP also has an item that is contemplating to have a pump house built on Okanagan Lake (cost $2.6 M) to pump clean Okanagan Lake water to Goose Lake to use it for irrigation (annual pumping costs estimated at $160,000). Wastewater would be an excellent alternative to be used for filling Goose Lake at a fraction of the cost and would be compatible with the City’s desire to have a beneficial use for wastewater. During the 7 months of no irrigation Goose Lake could be filled from the MacKay reservoir using existing irrigation lines. Coordination of various projects is an important function of both elected officials and staff. Let’s start coordinating!
Vernon’s efforts to promote treated wastewater for agricultural use is laudable. The Save Our Lakes Society formed in the early 1980's promoted the concept of beneficial use and opposed lake discharge of wastewater. However, since we have renewed hope of having wastewater used for agricultural irrigation we need a vehicle to deliver that water to the crops. RDNO Directors recently approved a Plan that would continue domestic and irrigation water to be mixed. This practice would prohibit wastewater to be introduced into the irrigation system? Should we take another look at the plan (a peer review perhaps?)? The current MWP also has an item that is contemplating to have a pump house built on Okanagan Lake (cost $2.6 M) to pump clean Okanagan Lake water to Goose Lake to use it for irrigation (annual pumping costs estimated at $160,000). Wastewater would be an excellent alternative to be used for filling Goose Lake at a fraction of the cost and would be compatible with the City’s desire to have a beneficial use for wastewater. During the 7 months of no irrigation Goose Lake could be filled from the MacKay reservoir using existing irrigation lines. Coordination of various projects is an important function of both elected officials and staff. Let’s start coordinating!
Wednesday, April 16, 2014
Waste water sought for local crops
by Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star posted Apr 16, 2014 at 1:00 AM
Local agriculture could eventually be fuelled by treated waste water. The City of Vernon will lobby the provincial government to expand the uses for its spray irrigation program under the proposed liquid waste management plan. Currently, treated effluent water just goes on to cattle pastures, parks and golf courses. “In Florida, they use reclaimed water for crops,” said Coun. Juliette Cunningham after council approved 16 recommendations Monday. “They need to recognize the value of our reclaimed water.” The Ministry of Health has been reluctant to expand irrigation to food crops, but a consultant with Urban Systems points out that many of the tomatoes local residents purchase in the store are irrigated by treated waste water in California. “There are conflicting regulations that handcuff what land can be used for spray irrigation,” said Ehran Lee, a water engineer. “These regulations need to be addressed.” Vernon’s spray irrigation program also means the city isn’t pumping treated effluent into Okanagan Lake as other communities do regularly. The concept is unpopular with many Vernon residents. “If we’re trying to maintain an opportunity not to discharge into the lake, we need to expand the land base,” said Cunningham of Vernon’s expected population growth over the next 20 years. “We have high-quality water after it’s treated.” Lake discharge would remain as an option during emergencies. It’s expected the total price tag for the liquid waste management plan is $38.5 million over 20 years. Of that, $25.3 million would come from new customers, $1.8 million from existing sewer ratepayers and $11.3 million from taxpayers. “These are the best guess of the costs but they will be offset by efficiencies in the system,” said Greg Thompson, the city’s municipal financial technician. There could also be federal and provincial grants to improve watershed health. “The environment is the purview of senior government,” said Mayor Rob Sawatzky. As a way of reducing costs and easing pressure on the overall sewer treatment process, residents could be urged to conserve indoor water, such as flushing toilets. Greater public acceptance of turning sewer sludge into the Ogogrow fertilizer is also included in the plan. Much of the program would revolve around controlling odours. The liquid waste management plan must still be accepted by the Ministry of Environment.
Local agriculture could eventually be fuelled by treated waste water. The City of Vernon will lobby the provincial government to expand the uses for its spray irrigation program under the proposed liquid waste management plan. Currently, treated effluent water just goes on to cattle pastures, parks and golf courses. “In Florida, they use reclaimed water for crops,” said Coun. Juliette Cunningham after council approved 16 recommendations Monday. “They need to recognize the value of our reclaimed water.” The Ministry of Health has been reluctant to expand irrigation to food crops, but a consultant with Urban Systems points out that many of the tomatoes local residents purchase in the store are irrigated by treated waste water in California. “There are conflicting regulations that handcuff what land can be used for spray irrigation,” said Ehran Lee, a water engineer. “These regulations need to be addressed.” Vernon’s spray irrigation program also means the city isn’t pumping treated effluent into Okanagan Lake as other communities do regularly. The concept is unpopular with many Vernon residents. “If we’re trying to maintain an opportunity not to discharge into the lake, we need to expand the land base,” said Cunningham of Vernon’s expected population growth over the next 20 years. “We have high-quality water after it’s treated.” Lake discharge would remain as an option during emergencies. It’s expected the total price tag for the liquid waste management plan is $38.5 million over 20 years. Of that, $25.3 million would come from new customers, $1.8 million from existing sewer ratepayers and $11.3 million from taxpayers. “These are the best guess of the costs but they will be offset by efficiencies in the system,” said Greg Thompson, the city’s municipal financial technician. There could also be federal and provincial grants to improve watershed health. “The environment is the purview of senior government,” said Mayor Rob Sawatzky. As a way of reducing costs and easing pressure on the overall sewer treatment process, residents could be urged to conserve indoor water, such as flushing toilets. Greater public acceptance of turning sewer sludge into the Ogogrow fertilizer is also included in the plan. Much of the program would revolve around controlling odours. The liquid waste management plan must still be accepted by the Ministry of Environment.
Friday, April 26, 2013
Candidates Discuss Green Issues At Forum
Written by Peter McIntyre 107.5 KISSFM Friday, 26 April 2013 06:03 
The Vernon Monashee candidates were talking about green issues at a forum Thursday night at the Schubert Centre. About 100 people attended the event put on by the Sustainable Environment Network Society. One question asked if the candidates would endorse using the outfall pipe to dispose of Vernon's treated waste water, as recommended in the core service review. Liberal Eric Foster said it would be "political suicide," Conservative Scott Anderson said he would like to see a referendum on the issue, New Democrat Mark Olsen was opposed, and independent Korry Zepik felt other methods should be tried. Some of the topics included dealing with genetically modified organisms, making farming viable, the bounty on BC wolves, and rebates for electric cars. All the candidates said they would support pushing for government grants to offset the costs of separating the farming and domestic water supply in Greater Vernon. The talk by the end of the night had the hopefuls giving their take on legalizing marijuana and using hemp for more products. Candidates Eric Foster, Mark Olsen and Korry Zepik all supported keeping the carbon tax but Conservative Scott Anderson says his party will scrap it. He says it's unfair to farmers who can't be expected to plow their fields with bicycles. The one candidate who could have could have got the loudest cheers was Rebecca Helps of the Green Party who lives in Port Moody, and couldn't make it.
The Vernon Monashee candidates were talking about green issues at a forum Thursday night at the Schubert Centre. About 100 people attended the event put on by the Sustainable Environment Network Society. One question asked if the candidates would endorse using the outfall pipe to dispose of Vernon's treated waste water, as recommended in the core service review. Liberal Eric Foster said it would be "political suicide," Conservative Scott Anderson said he would like to see a referendum on the issue, New Democrat Mark Olsen was opposed, and independent Korry Zepik felt other methods should be tried. Some of the topics included dealing with genetically modified organisms, making farming viable, the bounty on BC wolves, and rebates for electric cars. All the candidates said they would support pushing for government grants to offset the costs of separating the farming and domestic water supply in Greater Vernon. The talk by the end of the night had the hopefuls giving their take on legalizing marijuana and using hemp for more products. Candidates Eric Foster, Mark Olsen and Korry Zepik all supported keeping the carbon tax but Conservative Scott Anderson says his party will scrap it. He says it's unfair to farmers who can't be expected to plow their fields with bicycles. The one candidate who could have could have got the loudest cheers was Rebecca Helps of the Green Party who lives in Port Moody, and couldn't make it.
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
KPMG report targets waste water and transit costs
By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: April 24, 2013 1:00 AM
Fundamental strategies at the City of Vernon could be turned on end. Among 113 recommendations, a core services review suggests scaling back transit service and discharging treated waste water into the lake as ways of reducing costs and increasing efficiencies. “Some are pretty dramatic and fly in the face of the way we have been operating,” said Coun. Brian Quiring. The city has long promoted the fact that it uses treated effluent water to irrigate parks, golf courses and pastures instead of pumping it into Okanagan Lake as other communities do. However, the review by KPMG states that spray irrigation costs $1 million a year, and by putting the water into the lake, it is available to everyone and not just a limited group. “That will be a controversial matter,” said Coun. Bob Spiers, referring to previous legal fights over lake discharge. In terms of transit, KPMG says that while the city has focused on the service as a way of avoiding costly road infrastructure, there is actually limited benefit and transit should be directed towards helping the disabled and people who cannot afford cars. The link between transit and reducing pollution is also questioned. “Driving a big 40-foot long diesel bus with two or three passengers does not produce less greenhouse gas than if they drive their own cars,” said Brian Bourns, KPMG senior manager. The report suggests reducing transit to a couple of routes that would recover 50 per cent of the operating cost. Coun. Juliette Cunningham is concerned parts of the report don’t fit with community priorities. “When you look at transportation or the environment, they are aligned with (development of) the official community plan,” she said. “There was a vision created by participants in that process.” Any report recommendations regarding staff are being discussed by council behind closed doors. “We will look at staffing to see where there are efficiencies,” said Mayor Rob Sawatzky, adding that council is aware that uncertainty may cause stress for employees. Other suggestions in the core review report are using health care volunteers, not firefighters, to respond to medical emergencies; reducing subsidies for O’Keefe Ranch; amalgamating Greater Vernon, and going from one-week to two-week garbage collection. Another suggestion is closing Civic Arena, but instead of replacing it immediately, other adjacent communities should be accessed to provide ice-user need. Council will discuss the report May 13 and it’s not known when any decisions could be made.
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BEYOND THE HEADLINES: Issue resurfaces
By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: April 24, 2013 1:00 AM
A can of worms is being reopened at Vernon city hall. On Monday, council members received KPMG’s services review on potential ways to reduce costs and increase efficiencies. One of the opportunities for consideration, as KPMG calls them, is pumping treated waste water into Okanagan Lake instead of the long-standing practice of using it to irrigate golf courses, parks and pasture. “The golf courses would likely use water from the water system for irrigation if not supplied with recovered water, but much of the recovered water is spread on low value lands bought for the purpose and not requiring irrigation,” states the report. “If these waters were returned to the surface water system (lake), it would increase the supply of water available for use in the greater community, whether for domestic or agricultural purposes.” KPMG also goes on to say that spray irrigation costs the city $1 million a year and the program “ties up lands that might more appropriately be used for development, reducing the pressures for urban sprawl on the fringes of the city boundaries.” KPMG’s recommendation on spray irrigation comes at the same time as an option in the city’s liquid waste management plan review that would see effluent discharges into the lake go from emergency status to periodic. In that process, Urban Systems states any discharge into the lake would only be for surplus treated effluent not used by the spray irrigation program. They have also indicated that discharges would reduce spray irrigation costs, including pumping the material to the reservoir in the Commonage. Perhaps now is a good time for a quick history lesson. Spray irrigation was pioneered by city engineer David MacKay in the 1970s as a way of adding value to waste material and conserving fresh water supplies. Vernon is still the only community in the valley that doesn’t discharge into Okanagan Lake and that’s something it has previously bragged about. Residents have been so passionate about the program that battles erupted in the late 1980s when the city followed provincial government direction and installed an outfall pipe into the lake for emergency discharges. Political careers were created and derailed over the matter in the 1990 civic election. The only use of the pipe occurred in 1996 because a wet summer delayed irrigation of waste water on fields and the reservoir level had to be lowered. Any subsequent possibilities of discharges were mired in legal action by environmental organizations. Based on the advice from KPMG or Urban Systems, Vernon could suddenly be on the cusp of a dramatic departure in waste disposal. And if council endorses those plans, expect Save Our Lakes, the Okanagan Indian Band and the Environmental Law Society to pursue legal options and rally public opposition. The battles of the past will be resurrected and given that there is a civic election in November 2014, the stakes will be high. Just as occurred back in 1990, this issue could sweep new faces into office and send others packing.
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Budget 2013 From 2013-2017 Proposed Financial Plan - 28 MB
(2012 actuals not updated yet)
Fundamental strategies at the City of Vernon could be turned on end. Among 113 recommendations, a core services review suggests scaling back transit service and discharging treated waste water into the lake as ways of reducing costs and increasing efficiencies. “Some are pretty dramatic and fly in the face of the way we have been operating,” said Coun. Brian Quiring. The city has long promoted the fact that it uses treated effluent water to irrigate parks, golf courses and pastures instead of pumping it into Okanagan Lake as other communities do. However, the review by KPMG states that spray irrigation costs $1 million a year, and by putting the water into the lake, it is available to everyone and not just a limited group. “That will be a controversial matter,” said Coun. Bob Spiers, referring to previous legal fights over lake discharge. In terms of transit, KPMG says that while the city has focused on the service as a way of avoiding costly road infrastructure, there is actually limited benefit and transit should be directed towards helping the disabled and people who cannot afford cars. The link between transit and reducing pollution is also questioned. “Driving a big 40-foot long diesel bus with two or three passengers does not produce less greenhouse gas than if they drive their own cars,” said Brian Bourns, KPMG senior manager. The report suggests reducing transit to a couple of routes that would recover 50 per cent of the operating cost. Coun. Juliette Cunningham is concerned parts of the report don’t fit with community priorities. “When you look at transportation or the environment, they are aligned with (development of) the official community plan,” she said. “There was a vision created by participants in that process.” Any report recommendations regarding staff are being discussed by council behind closed doors. “We will look at staffing to see where there are efficiencies,” said Mayor Rob Sawatzky, adding that council is aware that uncertainty may cause stress for employees. Other suggestions in the core review report are using health care volunteers, not firefighters, to respond to medical emergencies; reducing subsidies for O’Keefe Ranch; amalgamating Greater Vernon, and going from one-week to two-week garbage collection. Another suggestion is closing Civic Arena, but instead of replacing it immediately, other adjacent communities should be accessed to provide ice-user need. Council will discuss the report May 13 and it’s not known when any decisions could be made.
----------
BEYOND THE HEADLINES: Issue resurfaces
By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: April 24, 2013 1:00 AM
A can of worms is being reopened at Vernon city hall. On Monday, council members received KPMG’s services review on potential ways to reduce costs and increase efficiencies. One of the opportunities for consideration, as KPMG calls them, is pumping treated waste water into Okanagan Lake instead of the long-standing practice of using it to irrigate golf courses, parks and pasture. “The golf courses would likely use water from the water system for irrigation if not supplied with recovered water, but much of the recovered water is spread on low value lands bought for the purpose and not requiring irrigation,” states the report. “If these waters were returned to the surface water system (lake), it would increase the supply of water available for use in the greater community, whether for domestic or agricultural purposes.” KPMG also goes on to say that spray irrigation costs the city $1 million a year and the program “ties up lands that might more appropriately be used for development, reducing the pressures for urban sprawl on the fringes of the city boundaries.” KPMG’s recommendation on spray irrigation comes at the same time as an option in the city’s liquid waste management plan review that would see effluent discharges into the lake go from emergency status to periodic. In that process, Urban Systems states any discharge into the lake would only be for surplus treated effluent not used by the spray irrigation program. They have also indicated that discharges would reduce spray irrigation costs, including pumping the material to the reservoir in the Commonage. Perhaps now is a good time for a quick history lesson. Spray irrigation was pioneered by city engineer David MacKay in the 1970s as a way of adding value to waste material and conserving fresh water supplies. Vernon is still the only community in the valley that doesn’t discharge into Okanagan Lake and that’s something it has previously bragged about. Residents have been so passionate about the program that battles erupted in the late 1980s when the city followed provincial government direction and installed an outfall pipe into the lake for emergency discharges. Political careers were created and derailed over the matter in the 1990 civic election. The only use of the pipe occurred in 1996 because a wet summer delayed irrigation of waste water on fields and the reservoir level had to be lowered. Any subsequent possibilities of discharges were mired in legal action by environmental organizations. Based on the advice from KPMG or Urban Systems, Vernon could suddenly be on the cusp of a dramatic departure in waste disposal. And if council endorses those plans, expect Save Our Lakes, the Okanagan Indian Band and the Environmental Law Society to pursue legal options and rally public opposition. The battles of the past will be resurrected and given that there is a civic election in November 2014, the stakes will be high. Just as occurred back in 1990, this issue could sweep new faces into office and send others packing.
-----------
Budget 2013 From 2013-2017 Proposed Financial Plan - 28 MB
(2012 actuals not updated yet) 
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