Two Spallumcheen water districts have received council’s unanimous blessing to apply for Okanagan Basin Water Board grant funding for improvements.
Canyon Waterworks District is seeking a $10,000 grant, about one-quarter of an estimated nearly $45,000 project to redesign its well-head and have it brought above ground level to proper standards.
Such a move would also eliminate a boil water advisory the district has been under for a year after unsafe levels were found during a monthly water test.
“The problem was diagnosed to be a structural issue with our wellhead,” wrote Canyon trustee Hiapo Poirier.
“After months of redesign and constant communication with authorities from Interior Health, final approval for the construction of the wellhead improvement was granted.”
The upgrades exceed $30,000 which also exceeds the funds in the district’s account.
“We are seeking a grant to assist our water district in completing this project and ultimately lifting the boil water advisory notice for our 38 residents this directly affects,” said Poirier.
The Otter Lake Water District is applying for a grant of $3,750, half of the estimated $7,000 required for a chlorine analyzer for its water system.
“This piece of equipment would be installed at our main pumphouse and would monitor the chlorine level being injected into the system 24 hours a day,” said Terri Wong, a representative of the Otter Lake district during a presentation to council.
The type of technology ensures the district is pumping the best potable water to its ratepayers at all times.
