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June 10, 2016 - 3:27 PM
KELOWNA - Mediation by the province appears to have broken the ice between Kelowna's many water purveyors and the city.
Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development Peter Fassbender made the announcement via media release saying he met with the City of Kelowna, the Black Mountain Irrigation District, the Rutland Water Works District, the Glenmore-Ellison Improvement District and the South East Kelowna Irrigation District on Thursday, June 9.
“They have found common ground, a turning point in their discussions,” he writes. “An agreement has been reached to draft common principles and terms of reference for a value planning process.
“All previous and existing materials and plans will be used to inform this process. The parties agreed to work proactively as they take next steps to ensure a robust, resilient and sustainable system that delivers high quality water for all citizens' needs.”
At the heart of Kelowna's water wars is the integrated water supply plan. Kelowna mayor Colin Basran wants to amalgamate the four irrigation districts with the city water utility well ahead of a schedule agreed upon four years ago in the supply plan.
Find past stories on the Kelowna water districts here.
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News from © iNFOnews, 2016