Greater Vernon Water (GVW) has raised a number of concerns about water capacity in the area. 

Having reviewed held water licences, the utility submitted a report to the Greater Vernon Advisory Committee that was put before the Regional District of North Okanagan (RDNO) board of directors Wednesday, May 21. The report outlines 13 issues concerning water capacity.

Included in the list of concerns is the issue of thousands of mega-litres of water licences that still need to be transferred to Okanagan Lake, which may require a pump station and a pricey transmission main or treatment facility. Staff are also concerned that an analysis hasn't yet been done to assess significant changes in water use since 2011.

Climate change is another highlighted issue, with staff saying the impact of climate change on water supply has not been assessed. Staff also point out that there is currently no bylaw regulating the amount of water used by industrial, commercial and institutional users. Water quality concerns resulting from long pipe mains with low water flow was another problem identified. 

Here is the full list of GVW's concerns. 

1. Operational and environmental flow needs: This was not accounted for in the GVW Master Water Plan (MWP) and effectively reduces the amount of storage available for GVW customer use in the Duteau Creek Reservoirs by 7,191 mega litres per year. 

2. Accessible water versus inaccessible water: GVW has infrastructure to access 52 per cent of total water licenced volumes, which will increase to 63 per cent once the Canoe Bay Pump Station is constructed. The remaining 37 per cent requires significant infrastructure upgrades at considerable expense to gain access.

3. Water licence type: GVW holds water licences as both irrigation and waterworks. The water storage to be gained when the Aberdeen Dam is raised is currently designated as irrigation but domestic customers will bear the cost of the dam raise. GVW will request this designation be changed but doesn香蕉视频直播檛 anticipate an issue as the water use is supported by storage.

4. Aberdeen Dam raise to fully access Duteau Creek water licences: The primary concern of this project is that raising the dam does not guarantee it will be filled every year as the amount of water coming off at freshet varies year to year. 

5. Extension of Gold Paradise Diversion to fill Aberdeen Dam: The MWP recommended GVW apply for this extension as it would assist in filling a raised Aberdeen Dam; however, it could be problematic from an approval point of view.

6. Transfer of remaining BX Creek water licences to Okanagan Lake: GVW has 5,485 mega litres of licences that still need to be transferred to Okanagan Lake. GVW is required to identify how they will access this water and provide a location within the next MWP. All future ways to access this water will be expensive as it will require a pump station and either a very long transmission main or a localized treatment facility.

7. Use of Antwerp shallow well: The water from Antwerp wells will only be available for use in the non-potable system when the separated distribution system is constructed by the site.

8. Legislative changes: The 香蕉视频直播渂eneficial use香蕉视频直播� clause in the 2014 Water Sustainability Act requires proof of beneficial use which must be determined for BX Creek water licences in the next MWP update.

9. Water reserve: Discussions between Ministry staff and RDNO staff indicate the water reserve will not be granted, identified as required in the GVW MWP.

10. Climate change impacts: The impact of climate change on water supply has not been assessed. The following predictions at minimum will have significant impacts to GVW water supply and storage and require further study: timing of freshet and spill; higher temperatures and more growing days or more frost-free days; extended drier periods; less recharge in the fall; and more rain, less snow.

11. Changes in water use trends: Since a technical analysis was completed in 2011, significant changes in water use have occurred that need further detailed analysis to assess the impact to GVW supply and storage with regards to agricultural water use and the Duteau Creek Water Treatment Plant.

12. Unregulated industrial, commercial and institutional water use: GVW currently has no bylaw or process to regulate the amount of water used by industrial, commercial and institutional properties, which could strain infrastructure and water capacity in the future.

13. Water quality risks from highly aged water: Aged water is created from long pipe mains to low density areas with low water flow. Aged water negatively impacts water quality and increases operations and capital costs to combat the creation of disinfection byproducts and low chlorine residuals. 

"The impact of these issues needs to be reviewed in detail," the report states. 

The RDNO board voted to move forward with a water capacity study that will assess the concerns raised by staff. The study will be included in the 2026 budget.