Ask West Kelowna
The Latest: July 28, 2020
Chief Administrative Officer Paul Gipps updates residents on the Council Initiative - Subject to Petition Against for future Rose Valley Water Treatment Plant users.
July 22, 2020
July 14, 2020
West Kelowna Council has endorsed a process for the City to determine if there is sufficient petition against from Rose Valley Water Treatment Plant (RVWTP) property owners to use long-term borrowing of up to $23.5 million for the plant’s design, construction and financing.
This process also establishes the new RVWTP Local Area Service (LAS) that includes the water service areas of Pritchard, Lakeview (local Rose Valley), Sunnyside and West Kelowna Estates.
Once operational in 2022, it will be one of the most significant infrastructure projects delivered by the City of West Kelowna.
To read the July 14, 2020 news release click here.
To read the July 14, 2020 report to Council click here.
To determine if you are located within the Local Area Service (LAS) click here or use the map below. Please use Google Chrome to view map.
Construction of the Rose Valley Water Treatment Plant has begun
The City of West Kelowna awarded its first civil works tender to Hall Constructors in March 2020. Construction activities at the Rose Valley Water Treatment Plant, located at the end of Rosewood Drive, began in March 2020. This work includes activities such as excavation and blasting, roadworks, utilities and other site works.
Construction is scheduled to take 20 to 24 months to complete, with the plant scheduled to be commissioned by summer 2022.
Special thanks to Canada's Infrastructure and Communities Minister François-Philippe Champagne, British Columbia Premier John Horgan and Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister Selina Robinson, Kelowna Lake Country MP Stephen Fuhr, Central Okanagan Similkameen Nicola MP Dan Albas and Kelowna Westside MLA Ben Stewart for their support in providing an extension under the Clean Water Wastewater Fund until March 31, 2023 to access more than $41 million in grant funding to assist with the plant's construction.
| Keeping you informed |
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As part of our commitment to serve you and keep you informed on this project, we have released multiple communications with residents in recent years. These past communications can be found below:
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| Frequently Asked Questions |
| Please click here to read our Questions and Answers document. |
| About the Clean Water Wastewater Fund |
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The Clean Water and Wastewater Fund provided funding of $2 billion nationally in 2016/2017 to the rehabilitation of water treatment and distribution infrastructure and wastewater and storm water treatment systems. The Government of Canada agreed to contribute $24.7 million and the Province of British Columbia has contributed $16.3 million towards the construction of the plant. The City of West Kelowna will cover the remaining costs via water rate increases and borrowing. THANK YOU! |
| Land |
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In March 2019, the City of West Kelowna confirmed purchase of a 24-acre portion of 2010 Bartley Road, at a cost of $915,000, for the purpose of building the Rose Valley Water Treatment Plant. Mayor Milsom and members of Council made the announcement publicly on March 25, 2019 at an official sign unveiling near the site (photo above). The City had applied in fall 2017 to obtain rights to use Crown land immediately north of Rose Ridge Park and approximately 1.5 kilometres south of the existing chlorine-only water treatment facility, built in 1977. On March 26, 2019, Council withdrew its application to the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resources Operations and Rural Development for tenure on the parcel of the Crown land, located adjacent to District Lots 503, 2685 and 2188, Osoyoos Division Yale Land District. Since the application process was still ongoing after nearly 18-months, the City had chosen instead to make the nearby property purchase at 2010 Bartley Road, in order to meet its grant obligations. Crown land tenure was therefore no longer required. |
| Construction |
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With the land for the new plant secured in March 2019, the City began full, detailed design of the plant. Site clearing began in September 2019. It will be followed by groundwork and then construction. Plant construction begin in spring 2020. The project is scheduled to take at least 20 months to complete, allowing the plant to be commissioned and fully operational by late spring of 2022. |
| Costs |
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The Government of Canada will contribute $24.7 million and the Province of British Columbia will provide $16.3 million. The City of West Kelowna will contribute the remaining funds through a combination of sources, including water rate increases, water reserves and borrowing. |
| Background |
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| More Information |
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For an overview of the Province of B.C.’s investment in the Clean Water and Wastewater Fund, please go to: www.gov.bc.ca/cleanwaterwastewaterfund Learn more about the Government of Canada’s commitment to the Clean Water and Wastewater Fund. |
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