West Kelowna council has voted against a proposed independent review of the city's 2014 Water Utility Master Plan.
In November 2024, a group of residents circulated a petition and called for an independent review, citing concerns about public health and a lack of trust in the city香蕉视频直播檚 water decisions.
They wanted to know why the Rose Valley Reservoir was selected as the drinking water source, how treatment through the new Rose Valley Water Treatment Plant (RVWTP) is being managed, and whether the city香蕉视频直播檚 long-term water planning holds up under scrutiny.
The city has come under fire for water quality issues linked to the RVWTP, particularly high manganese levels. Residents have also criticized what they describe as poor communication and a lack of transparency from the city.
However, at its June 10 meeting, council decided against an independent review, opting to rely on the current Water Utility Master Plan update instead.
香蕉视频直播淲e香蕉视频直播檙e working on it, so why would we pay between $50,000 and $150,000 for an independent review when we're having this plan done,香蕉视频直播� Mayor Gord Milsom asked. 香蕉视频直播淚t doesn香蕉视频直播檛 make any logical sense to me.香蕉视频直播�
An independent review could take up to a year and delay the current master plan update. Staff noted that concerns raised by residents will be addressed in the update.
Councillor Rick de Jong said he read both the 2014 Water Utility Master Plan and the residents香蕉视频直播� petition, and while he understands the concerns香蕉视频直播攅specially around manganese and the choice of the Rose Valley Reservoir香蕉视频直播攈e doesn香蕉视频直播檛 believe an independent review is the best way forward.
香蕉视频直播淲e could have done better, and we will do better.香蕉视频直播�
In his view, de Jong said, the 2014 plan was solid and based on the best information at the time. He noted that manganese wasn香蕉视频直播檛 considered a health risk back then, just an aesthetic issue, and the plan found that both the reservoir and lake sources could meet health standards.
香蕉视频直播淚t wasn香蕉视频直播檛 that health was ignored香蕉视频直播攊t just wasn香蕉视频直播檛 flagged the way it would be today,香蕉视频直播� he said.
He questioned whether a $150,000 review that looks backward would be worth the cost or delay.
香蕉视频直播淲e need to focus on what delivers safer water now,香蕉视频直播� he said, adding that the updated Water Utility Master Plan can still address community concerns without restarting from scratch. 香蕉视频直播淚 think it was important in response to the community that we've had this report come forward and we've had this discussion at the council table.香蕉视频直播�
Public consultation for the updated plan is expected later this year, in fall or winter.
An update from the city on the Rose Valley Water Service Area issued on June 13 noted a slight rise in manganese in the Rose Valley Reservoir.
香蕉视频直播淩ecent levels have gone up to 0.03 milligrams per litre, which is still well below the Health Canada safety limit of 0.12 mg/L, but it does exceed the aesthetic guideline of 0.02 mg/L香蕉视频直播� the report stated.
Plant staff have restarted pre-chlorination of the water香蕉视频直播攋ust after it leaves the reservoir香蕉视频直播攚hich adds oxygen and helps keep the manganese from dissolving, allowing the plant to filter it out more easily.
A permanent pre-oxidation system will be installed this summer. Council also approved speeding up the installation of a modern aeration system. It will oxygenate the water in the reservoir to prevent manganese from dissolving and flowing into the treatment plant. The new system will be installed by the end of 2025.
