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(Liam Verster/Vernon Matters)
By Liam Verster
Water System Upgrades

Okanagan Indian Band water systems are being upgraded

Feb 10, 2022 | 2:46 PM

The Okanagan Indian Band members will be able to access higher quality water thanks to some new funding.

OKIB has secured $10.1 million through Indigenous Services Canada to upgrade the Six Mile/Bradley and Irish Creek/Head of the Lake water systems.

The water treatment systems, distribution systems and reservoirs will be upgraded at both plants. Construction is expected to begin sometime in February with the work completed by the summer.

These water systems have not been upgraded since they were built in the 1970s and 1980s.

“Okanagan Indian Band is super excited to start building infrastructure,” said Jolene Vincent, Public Works and Housing director for the Okanagan Indian Band

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“Without this water facility, we would not be able to build our new school or our single-family units, it all goes hand-in-hand. It really opens up a lot of doors for us. The existing water facility has not had updates in 30 years, so it really is a monumental moment [for the community].”

A first of its kind Integrated Project Delivery team consisting of OKIB members, engineering consultants and construction representatives has been established to design a delivery model focused on reducing waste and maximizing efficiency throughout the construction process.

by Liam Verster
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