Greater Vernon Water Master Plan
Posted by Rick Taylor
on Nov 07, 2014
Zee Marcolin attended our November 6th meeting and spoke about the Greater Vernon Water Master Plan. Zee is a professional engineer employed by the Regional District of North Okanagan as the Manager of Greater Vernon Water. She currently manages water supply and distribution for over 55,000 customers in the Greater Vernon service area. Part of her background involved assisting communities who rely on well water sources to be compliant with the B.C. Drinking Water Regulations.She gave us a background history in the issues of safe water management. There are many examples in the past of poor management, one of the worst being the problems that happened in Walkerton in 2000 that resulted in the death of seven people. Over the past fifteen years, Vernon has moved from a community with many water sources to having only two main ones that are strictly monitored. About three years ago, Greater Vernon Water started to establish a Master Water Plan to minimize health risks, comply with regulatory requirements and reduce the impacts of drought on the community. The Province of B.C. requires public approval of long-term borrowing for water system upgrades. On November 15, 2015, G.V.W. will conduct a borrowing referendum on how to fund water system improvements.
All Greater Vernon residents are encouraged to take part in this referendum. Information about the Greater Vernon water system, the Master Water Plan and the 2014 vote can be viewed at www.rdno.ca/water (photo shows Zee on the left with Rotarian Beth Marks)