By Richard Rolke – Lake Country Calendar 

May 23, 2012 10:43 AM 

A cost overrun isn’t stopping a project that will  take Oyama residents off a boil water alert.

Lake Country council agreed Tuesday to amend the budget for the Kalamalka Lake interconnect project by $460,000. That move was necessary after the originally expected $5 million budget fell short.

Oyama water project moves forward.

“The passing of this addition to the project budget shows the willingness of the council to work together for the benefit of our entire community and is a testament to the ward system of local government,” said Coun. Owen Dickie.

There are a number of reasons for the overrun including some changes to the work, the budget being drawn up three years ago and the only tender being higher than projected.

“The project was estimated at $5 million instead of $5.4 million,” said Mayor James Baker.

“We want to do it instead of deferring it to another time.”

Once completed in about a year, the project will provide ultraviolet treatment, a booster station to interconnect the Kalamalka Lake and Oyama Lake sources and an Oyama Lake source reservoir.

“By the end of March 2013, the long standing boil water advisory on the Wood Lake water system will be lifted,” said Dickie.

“While many residents certainly feel it has been too long in coming, there has been a significant amount of work done in preparation for this project, including a new bridge to access the site and well as numerous approvals from regulatory bodies such as the Department of Fisheries.”

Baker is also pleased to see the project proceeding.

“The reservoir will provide more water and better water for more users,” he said.

“The boil water has been a constant irritation for the people who live there. The water is not unhealthy but the turbidity  does not meet the regulations the Interior Health Authority has changed.”

Council has awarded a $3.9 million contract for construction to Greyback Construction.

By Staff Writer – Vernon Morning Star
Published: May 27, 2012 1:00 AM

Armstrong makes temporary switch to groundwater.

A change in water source is resulting in water restrictions for the City of Armstrong.

Due to spring run-off and heavy rains, the city switched water sources from Fortune Creek surface supply to groundwater wells.

“The creek water is temporarily too high in turbidity and colour to be reliable,” said the city in an advertisement in Friday’s Morning Star.

Some of the changes that residents may notice with the well water include the water being slightly warmer and it may taste differently. It also requires soap for cleaning.

“It’s still entirely safe to use,” assured the city’s public works department.

Because the well water is limited, the city found it necessary to implement Stage 2 water restrictions immediately.

During Stage 2, you can’t use a sprinkler or irrigation system to water a lawn, garden, trees or shrubs, or wash driveways, sidewalks, parking lots and exterior building surfaces.

A person may, however, water trees, shrubs, flowers and vegetables by hand, but only during the prescribed Stage 1 watering hours and days which are:

• An even-numbered address may water on even days of the calendar, odd-numbered addresses may water on odd days, and between the hours of 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. to midnight;

A person can water newly planted trees, shrubs, flowers and vegetables if watering by hand during installation and for the following 24 hours.

The restrictions apply to all residents of the City of Armstrong, Pleasant Valley and Round Prairie Specified Areas, Highland Park, Stardel, Silver Star and Lansdowne Water Districts, and other residents of Spallumcheen who receive City of Armstrong water.

By Roger Knox – Vernon Morning Star - May 20, 2012 

The City of Armstrong is willing to help a Spallumcheen water system improve its water but with conditions.

Armstrong willing to discuss water services with neighboring jurisdictions.

The Meighan Creek Water System has twice asked the city to hook up to Spallumcheen Pleasant Valley Water District line that receives city water.

The first time came after Interior Health insisted the system improve its water, which has been under a boil water advisory for more than 20 years.

The second request came at the end of April, after steady rains caused a flood and mud slide down Meighan Creek leaving 17 homes with no water for five days.

“We believe that safe, reliable water will improve and maintain good health for our families,” wrote seven Meighan Creek system users in a letter to Armstrong council. “We are requesting your help to hook up to the nearby city water mains.”

In a reply to the Meighan Creek users, the city has said it will be undertaking a water supply study this year to follow up a 2010 water source assessment report.

“The objective of the study would be to determine the city’s ability to supply those customers we are currently obligated to supply, and planning for growth, before considering changing allotments to existing outside users or adding new users outside our boundaries,” wrote city administrator Patti Ferguson.

The city is willing to sit down with Meighan Creek, the Pleasant Valley Water District and the Township of Spallumcheen to review the situation, but insists it will not facilitate nor take the lead on implementing such a meeting.

“The discussion will have to include a conversation about who intends to contribute to the costs of having a city taxpayer funded master water plan consider the needs of new users in the township,” wrote Ferguson.

The city has said it will not participate in a meeting that does not include the township, Pleasant Valley Water District and Meighan Creek’s water quality officer.

Armstrong council voted unanimously to support Ferguson’s letter to Meighan Creek representatives.