Okanagan Lake/Contributed

By Vernon Matters Staff

Wildfire aftermath

Residents looking for water service to rebuild after fire

Jun 24, 2025 | 11:50 AM

It’s been almost two years since a wildfire tore through Lake Okanagan Resort, and many residents and landlords still can’t rebuild because there’s no reliable water service.

The breakdown of the former resort utility, and what residents describe as continued stall tactics, have left homeowners and landlords stuck waiting for basic services to be restored.

The KAS 520 strata came up with their own plan to fix the water situation and are now reaching out to government officials to get their support.

Without water and other essential utilities, reconstruction can’t move forward.

“We’re not asking for special treatment, we’re asking for the same kind of support that other communities have received after wildfire disasters,” said Heather Ormiston, a KAS 520 council member.

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“We’ve taken the initiative to solve the problem. Now we need our government to meet us halfway,” she added in a media release.

After the wildfire, much of Lake Okanagan Resort was severely damaged or destroyed, with the fire wiped out a large portion of the homes and infrastructure, including key utilities like the water treatment system.