Sewer project receives support

The sewer project in the Swan Lake Corridor is a step closer to becoming a reality.

The Regional District of the North Okanagan says that following a petition they have received enough support from residents for the North Okanagan Wastewater Recovery Project.

The petition was delivered to Electoral Area B and Electoral Area C residents to see if they would be in favor of borrowing 14 percent of the cost  or $5.2 million of the $36.9 million needed to complete the project.

The district says they needed the petition to be signed by the owners of at least 50 percent of the parcels that would be charged for the service and the petitions must represent at least 50 percent of the net taxable value of all land and improvements within the proposed service area.

The RDNO says the petition passed both obstacles, with 63% of the parcels, and 78% percent of the property value voting in favor.

“It has taken us years to get to this stage, and the successful petition marks a huge milestone for the project,” said Bob Fleming, RDNO Area B Director. “It confirms that the community supports this project and brings us closer to making the North Okanagan Wastewater Recovery Project a reality.”

The project would provide sewer service to the Swan Lake corridor, the Township of Spallumcheen’s south-east industrial area, and portions of Okanagan Indian Band (OKIB).

The district still has one last hurdle though – they still need to secure senior government grant funding worth $24.3 million.