Orchard Water Request Opens Debate

Written by Peter McIntyre  107.5 KISSFM  Thursday, 05 July 2012 17:25

Mike Macnabb, GVAC chair

  Local politicians will look at extending the boundaries for supplying water outside of Greater Vernon. Greater Vernon Water already services the Spallumcheen Golf Course and O'Keefe Ranch, and the latest request comes from the owners of an 82 acre apple and cherry orchard on L and A Cross Road in Spallumcheen. Greater Vernon Advisory Committee chair Mike Macnabb says they have to decide if the system can handle the extra demand. "Obviously we have to have enough water for future growth, we have to look after the folks within that boundary now, but we will be getting these requests on a somewhat regular basis to extend that boundary." Macnabb says staff will look at ways to supply extra water. "If we raise the dam at Duteau to increase our capacity up there, if we look at other sources like bringing BX Creek back on, what is our total capacity? That's what our consultants will be looking at." RDNO staff are recommending against the extension, but say it could more  feasible once a project to separate domestic and agricultural water is completed next year in the Swan Lake area. The orchard owned by the Sandher family, would use 184,250 cubic meters of water yearly, about the same amount that 526 homes would use. The request was denied by the committee at this time.