New water facility ready to open

Jun 11, 2019 | 4:33 PM

The chairman of the Regional District of North Okanagan calls it a significant milestone for the community.

Kevin Acton is referring to the new UV disinfection facility at the Duteau Creek Water Treatment Plant (DCWTP) which he said will further safeguard local water.

“We hope our residents can make it out to celebrate in the opening of this cutting edge UV disinfection facility and see firsthand how their water makes the journey from raw water to treated, safe drinking water,” Acton said.

The UV facility is located next to the DCWTP, and was completed in early 2019.

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It is a key component of Greater Vernon Water’s Master Water Plan.

“The [plan] provides a road map to meeting the water needs of our growing population as well as provincial water treatment guidelines to protect health. Greater Vernon Water now uses the unique combination of UV Disinfection and Dissolved Air Flotation at the DCWTP,” according to a regional district news release.

The new facility has been funded by all levels of government.

“Through the Canada-British Columbia Clean Water and Wastewater Fund, the federal and provincial governments awarded the district $5.81 million to fund the installation of the UV Disinfection Facility,” according to the release. “The total project cost was approximately $7 million, with the remaining portion, less than 20 per cent of the project cost, being covered by the Greater Vernon Water Utility.”

The public is invited to the official opening and tours of the facility June 25 at 1014 Whitevale Road in Lavington.

The gates open at 9 a.m. with speeches and a ribbon cutting at 10 a.m.

Tours will run from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Minimum age for the tours is seven years old, and wheelchair access is limited.

Clothing requirements are closed toe shoes only, no skirts or dresses, high heels or loose clothing.

by Pete McIntyre

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