Rain clouds and double rainbows over Swan Lake in Vernon.
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August 28, 2019 - 10:42 AM
The North Okanagan Regional District has announced it's received a $24.3-million government grant to build a wastewater system in the Swan Lake area.
The wastewater system when built will service certain residents in the Township of Spallumcheen, the Regional District of North Okanagan and the Okanagan Indian Band.
The North Okanagan Wastewater Recovery Project is a project launched in 2015 between the Regional District, the Township of Spallumcheen and the Okanagan Indian Band.
According to a Regional District North Okanagan media release the $24.3 million grant will cover 66 per cent of the total cost of the wastewater plant estimated to cost $36.9 million.
"This project has huge benefits for the entire region, especially for sustaining local agriculture. The highly treated wastewater will provide much-needed relief for our farmers during the hot, dry summers," Spallumcheen Mayor Christine Fraser said in the release.
The regional district says the project will provide homes and businesses with a safe and sustainable wastewater treatment facility and sewer system which will protect the water quality of Swan Lake and provide reclaimed water for agriculture, as well as supporting economic development.
The system is proposed to be built on a 2.5-acre site on L&A Cross Road in Spallumcheen.
The wastewater facility will protect Swan Lake water quality by reducing contaminants from septic systems leaching into the lake as well as supply local agriculture with reclaimed water for irrigation. The regional district also says the system will allow for the development of residential, commercial and industrial properties within its service area.
"This substantial grant makes this project a reality and will help us create the future we envision, one that balances environmental protection with economic opportunities," Okanagan Indian Band Chief Byron Louis said in the release.
The grant money comes is comprised of $13,255,148 from the federal government and $11,044,852 from the province. The remaining costs will be made up by the Regional District borrowing $5.2 million, an Okanagan Basin Water Board grant of $5.9 million and Township of Spallumcheen reserves of $1.5 million.
The project is expected to take two to three years to complete.
For more information go here.
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