Grants from the Okanagan Basin Water Board could help Spallumcheen water districts.
The OBWB is accepting applications for its 2015 water conservation and quality improvement grant program, which has $300,000 available for projects that conserve water in the Okanagan or improve its qualities.
“Is there some way that Steele Springs or another one of the improvement districts on boil water can get some of the funds?” asked Coun. Christine Fraser.
Of the $300,000 available, only $56,850 has been made available to the North Okanagan.
“We could suggest sending some information to the water districts,” said township chief administrative officer Corey Paiment.
“They do need endorsements from local governments, but there will be competition for the funds.”
Eligible recipients for the grants include non-profit community groups, local governments, and irrigation or improvement districts.
Council voted unanimously to forward the grant information to its water districts.
Emergency planning
Spallumcheen will continue in an emergency operations services contract.
Council gave three readings to a bylaw that would see Spallumcheen remain in the service with Vernon, Coldstream, Lumby, Armstrong, Enderby and the Regional District of North Okanagan.
The current deal expires in June 2015.
“This service provides emergency planning and emergency social services to the member local authorities,” said Paiement.
Spallumcheen paid $17,142 in 2014 as its share of the agreement.
That figure is predicted to rise to $18,035 in 2015.
