New water pumping station to support local agriculture

Apr 4, 2025 | 2:34 PM

The agriculture sector will ge getting some support in the form of better water access.

The City of Vernon and Regional District of North Okanagan have approved the installation of a new raw water intake and pump station for Greater Vernon Water (GVW).

Located at Canoe Bay, near Kin Beach on Okanagan Lake, the new Canoe Bay Pump Station will serve agricultural properties in the Bella Vista area with untreated lake water to ensure a sustainable water supply in the future.

“It’s great to see this water intake and delivery project moving forward thanks to collaborative efforts,” Vernon Mayor, Victor Cumming, added.

“Increasing capacity to provide raw water to the western Vernon area is vital to the success and growth of agriculture in Greater Vernon.”

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The station was designed to meet current water demands and be ready for the installation of more pumps to meet growing needs moving forward.

“This new facility will support sustainable agricultural practices by ensuring a steady water supply for Greater Vernon,” Bob Fleming, Chair of the Greater Vernon Advisory Committee, said.

“We are excited to see this move forward and are committed to working with our partners to ensure the success of this project.”

A water main will be constructed from the Lake to Okanagan Hills Boulevard, where it will connect to a closed concrete reservoir to pressurize the system. The project will also include a 2.5 kilometre extension to the Grey Canal Tail through the Frind Winery property.

“We are looking forward to working with project partners to strengthen and grow the farming, agriculture, and winemaking industry in the area”, Wayne Ford, Director of Construction and Development at Frind Wineries Ltd., said.

The project, which was five years in the making, had undergone environmental reviews and permitting. It will involve environmental offsetting measure including habitat restoration at the mouth of Vernon Creek, as well as uphold the cultural heritage values identified through a partnership with the Okanagan Indian Band.

Construction along Okanagan Hills Boulevard will begin in mid-April and involve bedrock blasting, with construction of the facility to begin in June. It was expected that the project would be complete by the end of October.

Residents and visitors were advised that the work may cause traffic disruptions along Tronson Rd., Bella Vista Rd., and Okanagan Hills Boulevard.

by Liam Verster

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