Kelowna water works gets go ahead

City Council in Kelowna, B.C. has approved a budget amendment to cover a $22 million project shortfall for the Kelowna Integrated Water Project – Phase 1.

The $86-million multi-year project includes the separation of agricultural and domestic systems in Southeast Kelowna and delivery of a sustainable water supply for agriculture in the South Mission.

The project will bring clean drinking water to almost 2,000 households and meet Interior Heath’s 2025 clean drinking water mandate in Southeast Kelowna almost 10 years earlier than originally planned.

The project is expected to take three years to complete with construction beginning this July.

Major upgrades will involve the two main pump stations in the City’s core south-end water infrastructure, along with expansion of reservoir capacity and large diameter transmission main; the new separated water system to serve existing South East Kelowna Irrigation District domestic customers will provide year-round clean water and will include a water distribution main, two new pumping stations and expanded reservoir storage.