Positive Report On Water System

A consultant says 65 percent of the infrastructure used by Greater Vernon Water is in average or above average condition.

The figure was include in an asset management report delivered by Urban Systems to the Greater Vernon Advisory Committee Thursday.

GVAC chair Juliette Cunningham says the information was reassuring as the committee decides how much should be spent on fixing the current system, compared to spending on new projects with the master water plan.

“The fact is we have been investing in renewals as we’ve been progressing, and there is a great partnership with the City of Vernon for infrastructure projects.”

Cunningham says future investment looks manageable.

“We do have significant reserves for renewal in our utility, so I’m not that concerned about it,” Cunningham tells Kiss FM.

GVAC director Jim Garlick says the information allows them to plan better for future projects including the master water plan.

“We’re taking care of things. We’re not just going to let them fail in the ground and then dig them up randomly here and there. There’s actually some thought being put into it,” says Garlick.

The report says the water system’s assets are valued at 743 million dollars, with more that half of that for pipes.