$9 Million For Water Projects

The BC and federal governments have announced over 9 million dollars in funding for water projects in the North Okanagan.

The announcements include 5.8 million dollars for the Duteau Creek Treatment Plant UV disinfection addition, along with just over three million dollars for a sewer extension project in Vernon’s Okanagan Landing.

The Regional District of North Okanagan will provide $1.2 million doe the Duteau Creek treatment plant project.

Vernon Mayor Akbal Mund says the grant for the sewer extension is welcome.

“It’s great that we’re getting the money from grants. It obviously saves the taxpayers a lot of money and moves it forward,” Mund tells Kiss FM.

Vernon Monashee MLA Eric Foster denies the announcements are election related.

“This is the typical year end, when you’ve got a surplus, capital projects. In years when you don’t have a surplus, or have a smaller surplus, you can’t do as much. We just happen to have a lot of money this year,” Foster tells Kiss FM.

Also getting grants are Coldstream and Lumby for water projects: $107,900 for Coldstream sewer line extension, $200,176 for a groundwater supply evaluation & monitoring well construction in Lumby, and $198,477 for a long-term wastewater treatment plant upgrades in Lumby.