Big Bill For Vernon and Kelowna

The City of Vernon has been slapped with an unexpected $100-thousand bill in order to upgrade the regional biosolids compost facility.

The City of Kelowna will have to pay double that amount.

“It’s a huge hit and it’s necessary in order to remain in compliance with the operating license,” said Nick Nilsen, City of Vernon spokesperson. “Regulations can change over time and this is an example of where communities are required to keep pace with the change and, unfortunately, that comes with a steep cost.”

Nilsen says the upgrade was expected to cost $500-thousand but the bill has grown to $800-thousand because the province wants safeguards put into place to stop possible leaching of waste into the groundwater.