Get to know your H2O

Jennifer Miles  Special to The Morning Star Published: May 18, 2012 1:00 AM
Where does my drinking water come from? This is one of the most frequent questions staff are asked at Greater Vernon Water (GVW). It is an important question to ask, as the answer helps residents understand their water quality as well as how much water is available. We are fortunate to have access to multiple sources of water, meaning GVW has some alternatives in the event of an emergency. GVW is working to better integrate the distribution of these sources, so that it is easier to switch or blend supplies. However, this also means we have the challenge of understanding that our neighbours may be getting their water from a different source with different characteristics. Greater Vernon Water primarily relies on two water sources, the Duteau Creek Watershed and Kalamalka Lake. Other sources such as King Edward Lake (Deer Creek), Goose Lake, and groundwater wells may be used to supplement the system temporarily during peak summer demand. Okanagan Lake is the water source for Outback and Delcliffe residents. The Duteau Creek Watershed serves most of Coldstream and Electoral Areas B and C.  It includes three reservoirs in the hills above Lavington on forested crown  land.  The Greater Vernon area gets most of its precipitation in the winter, so this watershed relies on snow melt to fill the reservoirs in the spring.  Water quality in these reservoirs and creeks is influenced by natural events such as landslides and human activities such as forestry, grazing, and recreation. Kalamalka Lake is a valley bottom lake, so the water flowing into it has traveled overland,  underground, and through streams. This is the water source for most of the residential areas of the City of Vernon. Kalamalka Lake water quality is influenced by activities occurring directly on the water as well as agricultural and urban land uses surrounding the lake and Coldstream Creek.  Approximately 80 per cent of the annual inflow to Kalamalka Lake is from Coldstream Creek.

These two very different water sources require different methods of treatment to ensure the water is safe to drink. Dissolved Air Floatation Treatment is used at the Duteau Creek Water Treatment Plant to remove colour and natural organics.  Ultraviolet Disinfection Treatment is used at the Mission Hill Water Treatment Plant, which treats water from Kalamalka Lake, to remove disease causing bacteria and parasites. Both treatment plants also use chlorine as a second level of protection against viruses, bacteria, and parasites such as Giardia. To ensure we can balance the needs of our customers with the cost of new infrastructure GVW has developed a Master Water Plan. A key component of that plan is managing summer water demand from our largest customer group, agricultural irrigators. Reducing demand is the cheapest way to increase supply, so GVW is participating in the Okanagan Irrigation Management Program (OKIM).  This program uses the latest technology to help farmers schedule their irrigation only when it’s needed and to determine the most efficient irrigation system for their crop. The Master Water Plan also recommends separating the agricultural and domestic (drinking) water supplies, to reduce costs by supplying irrigators with untreated water. Making the switch to being more water efficient also helps manage other problems. In terms of irrigation, over watering can mean that valuable top soil is lost or fertilizers are washed away. Pesticides can be washed into nearby streams, which then affects our Kalamalka Lake drinking water source.  GVW is working with provincial agencies,  tenure holders, municipalities, and private land owners on watershed protection plans for Coldstream Creek/Kalamalka Lake and the Duteau Creek Watershed to safeguard our water quality from the many activities occurring on land that affect our sources. GVW encourages residents to use water wisely by choosing efficient fixtures and appliances (toilets, showers, washers) and fixing leaks. Planting water efficient landscaping will reduce your water bill and help minimize yard maintenance since the plants are better suited to our climate. To learn more about GVW water quality protection and conservation programs, visit www.rdno.ca/water.