Area B and C residents learn more about

Area B and C Residents Learn More About Wastewater Recovery Project

Jan 23, 2019 | 2:02 PM

With a petition deadline just a few months away, residents of regional district areas B and C got a chance to learn more about the proposed Wastewater Recovery Project.

The 36.9 million dollar initiative would replace aging septic systems and provide a sewer system and treatment facility to the area, something that many residents at the open house say is long overdue.

“If you don’t do it now where does sewer go in the next 10 years? It’s got to go somewhere. Squire’s Pub, they pay over $100,000 a year just to pump their tank out, so you might as well put it in a sewer system and not have that expense,” said resident Wayne Klippert.

But not all residents are on board.

At the open meeting, the RDNO provided financial figures as to how much homeowners would need to pay every year in order to fund their $5.2 million share of the initiative and some wonder if they can bite the cost.

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“This is going to be a bare minimum of $120 a month, that’s a third of my groceries a month and I’m a $30,000 a year pensioner and they want me to pay $120 minimum,” said Paul Elmont.

“It’s a very one sided situation ….Very one sided,” he adds.

According to the Regional District, The cost of borrowing the $5.2 million would be spread over 20 years. Money used to fund the entire Wastewater Recovery Project would come from a combination of government grants, an infrastructure base fee, and a local service area tax paid by residents.

For more details here’s a link

The Regional District of the North Okanagan maintains that the project will protect Swan Lake’s water quality from environmental toxins, allow for development of secondary suites and subdivisions while at the same time increasing property values.

Property owners of Areas B and C have until March 15th to submit their petition.