The City of Vernon will be using its outfall pipe in Okanagan Lake to discharge treated wastewater. The pipe extends 7 km into the lake and ends 60 metres below the surface. (Vernon Matters photo)

By Pete McIntyre

treated wastewater

Vernon to use lake outfall pipe due to repairs to spray irrigation system

Apr 19, 2024 | 12:00 PM

The City of Vernon will use its outfall pipe in Okanagan Lake next week to discharge treated wastewater.

The change in normal process is due to the city having to shut down its spray irrigation system to repair a broken pipe in the 500 block of Commonage Road, adjacent to Rose’s Pond.

“In order to complete the repair, the city’s spray irrigation system must be shut down and water temporarily diverted to Okanagan Lake, via the deep-lake outfall pipe. The shut down is expected to take place the week of April 22 and last for approximately one day,” a city news release stated.

The city normally discharges 100 per cent of its treated wastewater as irrigation to local golf courses, agricultural lands, parks, and other properties. It can also divert the

The city also has the ability to divert the reclaimed water into Okanagan Lake when necessary, using a pipe that extends about 7 km into the lake and ends 60 metres below the surface.

Shantz Road

Update: Boil water notice rescinded by RDNO

2h ago

One of three facilities

NOYFSS opens Cedar House, a new emergency placement resource in Vernon

4h ago

Creating More Housing

Province providing loans for people opening up secondary suites

5h ago

“To ensure that both the land and lake ecosystems are protected, reclaimed water from the Vernon Water Reclamation Centre is treated to very high standards, set by the Ministry of Environment, and monitored accordingly,” the news release added.

To learn more about the water reclamation process and spray irrigation in Vernon, visit the City’s website at vernon.ca/water-reclamation.