Major changes are coming for a critical part of Greater Vernon’s water utility.
The Regional District of North Okanagan has given early budget approval of $600,000 for the Mission Hill water treatment plant.
“Peak water system demands occur each summer at the plant due to increased irrigation demands placed on the overall system,” said Sandy Edwards, water treatment manager, in a report.
“To complete the designs, tendering and delivery of equipment, we must commence with these two projects immediately.”
Of the $600,000, $200,000 will go towards installing a bulk salt receiving and storage facility.
“Currently, salt is delivered in 200 kilogram bags and then they have to be picked up (physically) and dropped in the hopper,” said Dale McTaggart, general manager of engineering.
“It’s dangerous to do and very labour intensive.”
The goal of the new receiving and storage facility is to increase efficiencies and reduce the risk involved with moving bags of salt.
The remaining $400,000 will go towards replacing the existing sodium hydrochlorite generator.
