Aerial view of Swan Lake (Image Credit: North Okanagan Wastewater Treatment project website)

By Liam Verster

Water Project Dispute

Incumbent RDNO director pushes back on water claims

Sep 17, 2026 | 4:08 PM

The current RDNO Area B Director has pushed back against water management claims made by his election opponent.

Kevin Brown, running for the seat to represent the Swan Lake – Commonage area, said in a release, he wanted to tackle water shortage issues and find ways to use reclaimed water, but opposed the costs associated with the North Okanagan Wastewater Recovery (NOWP) project.

READ MORE: Water a key focus for RDNO Area B candidate

In an email to Vernon Matters, incumbent director, Bob Fleming, said those two thoughts did not align.

“My opponent in the upcoming election acknowledges the growing need to use reclaimed water but then goes on to criticize the North Okanagan Wastewater Recovery project which will use the treated wastewater generated in the service area for supplying water stressed agricultural land in south Spallumcheen,” Fleming wrote.

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“NOWRP construction has already started in the Township [of Spallumcheen] and will start soon in the RDNO. In addition to assisting agriculture, the NOWRP will help solve the issue of aging septic systems leaching waste into Swan Lake. Most of the homes and businesses in the service area and their septic systems were built in the 1960’s, 70’s and 80’s. When such systems need replacing, engineering and construction costs can be $40,000 to $60,000 and more. That is a significant financial risk to property owners with these aging systems.

“In addition to the agricultural and environmental benefits of community sewer, there are large potential economic benefits through sensible development in the newly serviced areas. For all these reasons, the NOWRP is a huge win for our area of the North Okanagan,” Fleming said.

He added the project is being supported by a joint provincial-federal grant of $24.3-million, as well as an additional $9.5-million from the province to offset projected increased costs. He also noted the Township of Spallumcheen began construction of the facility in June and the RDNO had not determined how much it would contribute to the project as of time of publication.

The project was first proposed in 2014 and the following year a Memorandum of Understanding was signed by the RDNO, Spallumcheen and Okanagan Indian Band. In 2019 a petition was launched to determine whether the RDNO should borrow for this project and that saw almost 63 per cent of all property owners supported going ahead with the facility.

by Liam Verster

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