The Regional District North Okanagan is about to undertake a study into drainage issues from the Commonage area into Kalamalka Lake.
It hopes to get an $8-thousand dollar grant from the Okanagan Basin Water Board to cover a water quality study from both Bailey and Boltres Creeks according to Board Chair Bob Fleming.
“It actually ties in quite well with a Greater Vernon Water Project that is looking at storm water drainage into the north end of Kalamalka Lake. They are interested from the point of view of water quality of our drinking water.”
Fleming says the study would identify any pollutants that might be entering the lake.
“It’s really just general land use and how the creeks might be protected and stuff and it’s a little bit like Coldstream Creek really and try to see if there’s influence from land uses that can be mitigated. The first step is to find out what’s happening and the second to see if you can make some moves to change it.”
Fleming says they want to ensure there are nothing untoward might be affecting the water quality in Kalamalka Lake.
“It’s a beautiful lake and it’s also our drinking water so this is another effort to find out what’s going on, be aware of it and if there are issues, take some measures to adapt.”
There is no concern over any seepage from the Vernon Landfill since mitigation efforts have already be undertaken to prevent it getting into Kal Lake.