Investing in Safe and Reliable Water Infrastructure

The District of Lake Country is planning major improvements to the community water system under the proposed Water Master Plan which will ensure safe, clean, sustainable and affordable water for all Lake Country residents.

“Water is an important issue for Lake Country residents. Council wants to make sure it is as safe and clean as possible, while still being affordable,” says Mayor James Baker. “Our new Master Plan will save us money in the long run, but only if we start to invest in our water system now.”

Over the last 2 years the District, the Water Services Advisory Committee and consultants specializing in water infrastructure have been planning for a better future by developing the Water Master Plan. The plan will build a fair system for everyone and does everything the District can to make water safer. The plan continues to move towards providing an equitable rate structure for all users, promotes economic development, recognizes the agricultural role in the community and will ultimately tie all the systems together so that the District can provide treated water to all of its customers.  The current system is deteriorating due to aging and although no one likes to pay higher rates, the longer the project is delayed, the more costs will increase.

Jake Thiessen, a member of the Water Services Advisory Committee says, "The process of updating the Master Water Plan was a thorough one with a large number of options having been investigated before the preferred option was recommended to Council. The objective is to provide safe drinking water and an adequate supply for all water users in the community. Project priorities are laid out and an estimated cost is given for each project. The Master Water Plan will be a road map for improving of the DLC water system over the next 20 years."

The total cost of the Water Master Plan is estimated at $79 million over 20 years with projects such as a treatment and filtration plant, Ultra-violet treatment systems, expanded reservoirs to meet the growing demand, installation of universal water metering to accurately track water usage and ongoing replacement and upgrades to existing infrastructure. Financing for the Water Master Plan will be done through a combination of user rates, senior and government grants and developer contributions.

The District will have a water exhibit at the Municipal hall over the next month displaying details of the proposed projects and financial plan, aging infrastructure and impacts on user rates.  Staff will be conducting a variety of presentations to community groups and holding a public open house on July 6^th at the Municipal Hall from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.  Residents are invited to attend the presentations, talk to community members or District staff involved in the plan and to provide feedback by completing the Water Master Plan survey that will be available at the Municipal Hall and on the District’s website.

The Water Master Plan was unanimously endorsed by the Water Services Advisory Committee and after receiving public input, the Water Master Plan will be presented to Council at its July 19 meeting. More information on the Water Master Plan is available on the District’s website www.lakecountry.bc.ca or you can contact Greg Buchholz, Operations Manager at 250-766-6677.