Rose Valley Water Service Area – Pre-Summer 2025 Update

Date of issue: Friday, June 13, 2025

Dear Rose Valley Water Service Area Customers,

We are reaching out to share what’s new since our May 30 update.

This update covers from May 31 to June 12 and includes information on:

• Please, contact us first

• Treating manganese in Rose Valley Reservoir source water

• Update on source water improvements

• Planned maintenance program: Watermain flushing update

• Second intake for optional prepayment of RVWTP costs

• Water Utility Master Plan Update

Please note, this update provides information mainly about the Rose Valley Water Service Area, but it is being sent to all subscribers, including those in the Powers Creek Service Area, who may wish to know more. If you are uncertain which service area you live in, please check your latest City of West Kelowna utility bill or call 778-797-8850; Utility Billing staff will be happy to assist you with your bill.

As part of our commitment to expand communications, information and education, working together with our community, monthly water data for both service areas are posted on the City’s website at westkelownacity.ca/waterquality. If you have questions about the data, please call Public Works – Utilities staff at 778-797-2246.

Treating manganese in Rose Valley Reservoir source water

We have installed a manganese analyzer that provides our operators with hourly data. Readings from Rose Valley Reservoir show that manganese levels have risen slightly only within the source water, from trace amounts earlier this spring to up to 0.03 milligrams per litre (mg/L) within the past few weeks. Please note, our continual monitoring and sampling show the drinking water continues to meet Health Canada objectives at the Rose Valley Water Treatment Plant and within the distribution system.

Staff have started to pre-treat the source water with chlorine, immediately after it leaves the reservoir, and before entering the treatment plant, using the same process that was successfully implemented last summer after manganese levels had increased in Rose Valley Reservoir. Staff are proactively beginning pretreatment because as temperatures start to increase this summer, the heat may further increase manganese levels. Pre-chlorination is helpful because it oxygenates the water that is leaving the reservoir, making manganese less soluble; by the time it reaches the plant, the treatment processes can remove the manganese, keeping it from entering the distribution system.

The levels remain safe and within Health Canada guidelines for total manganese in drinking water. Please note, Health Canada has established a maximum acceptable concentration (MAC) for total manganese in drinking water at 0.12 mg/L and the aesthetic objective (AO) at 0.02 mg/L.

Update on source water improvements

With Rose Valley Water Treatment Plant completed and in the commissioning phase, the City of West Kelowna is now focusing on source water improvements, and we will be adding permanent pre-oxidation and modern aeration systems.

The permanent pre-oxidation system will apply potassium or sodium permanganate, a commonly used oxidant, and replace the temporary system that is currently in use. Staff have completed what retrofits they can in advance so that when the equipment arrives from suppliers it can more efficiently be installed, tested and commissioned this summer.

The modern aeration system will oxygenate the water in the reservoir, preventing the manganese from dissolving, rising through the water column and entering the outflow pipe on route to the water treatment plant. At the June 10 meeting, Council directed staff to advance the timelines for installing the new aeration system before the end of 2025, instead of 2026. Staff confirmed that the earlier timeline can be achieved; however, staff noted that testing and commissioning will still be required in 2026. In the meantime, staff have refurbished the existing aeration system to assist in oxygenating the water in the reservoir.

Planned maintenance program: Watermain flushing update

The City of West Kelowna has been continuing its planned flushing maintenance program to help remove settled sediment, which may include manganese, from the watermains.

Crews are currently flushing watermains in the West Kelowna Business Park and the Boucherie Centre Area. To learn more, please see our May 14 public service announcement. We will issue a notification to our customers when flushing is completed in this area, estimated within the next couple of weeks.

We will also inform customers when we move to the next area. Lakeview Heights is scheduled next. Flushing will continue in this area for the next several weeks, after which time, crews will move to Shannon Lake.

The City of West Kelowna has completed watermain flushing in Sunnyside/South Boucherie/Green Bay/Pritchard, West Kelowna Estates, and Rose Valley.

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High flows and velocities during irrigation season

Peak irrigation season leads to higher flows and velocities in our watermains which may stir up settled sediment that may contain manganese and cause temporary colour. This may be more likely in areas where watermains have not yet been flushed this year.

Hydrant uses and other factors that could temporarily discolour water

Unlike planned flushing maintenance, which we report to the public in advance, changes in velocity can occur within the distribution system from emergencies such as firefighting and watermain breaks or unauthorized hydrant use. The higher flows from these activities can also stir up accumulated sediment in the pipes and cause temporary colour in households nearest to the sudden event.

We report out to the public and media on watermain breaks or permitted fire hydrant use and emergency fire response is reported through the media. We also continue to watch for unauthorized hydrant use and customers may do the same. However, if you suspect unauthorized hydrant use, please call us first so that we may investigate further.

What to do if you notice water colour

If you notice colour, do not drink the water. Instead, flush your cold tap first for a few minutes until it runs clear. If the water does not run clear after 10 minutes, please call us at 778-797-2246 so that our staff can provide assistance.

Second intake for optional prepayment of RVWTP costs

At the June 10 Regular Meeting, Council directed staff to offer a second intake for anyone who may yet wish to consider prepaying their share of the Rose Valley Water Treatment Plant project costs. The recommendation for a second intake was part of a staff report on funding reconciliation for the Rose Valley Water Treatment Plant that Council requested.

Staff anticipate that the second intake opportunity will be offered from Sept. 17-30, 2025. Advance communications will be sent to customers in early summer to inform them of this option.

This is not a new charge. In keeping with the ratepayer-approved process for covering Rose Valley Water Treatment Plant and connecting water transmission mains costs, parcel owners within the service area have two options to cover their share of the remaining costs of the project – $23.5 million. The project budget of $75 million is being covered by $41 million in grant funding from the federal and provincial governments (the equivalent of nearly $1 from every Canadian), $6.1 million from new development (Development Cost Charges) and $4.4 million from Rose Valley Water Reserves (pre-collected from ratepayers of the system).

Under the first available option, owners do not need to do anything further. In 2026, staff will remove the $37.50 per quarter from the Rose Valley (RV) residential water flat rate on their utility bill and move it onto their property tax notice as an annual parcel tax of $181 starting in May of 2026. The $181 is equal to the four quarterly amounts of $37.50, for a total of $150, plus additional interest of per year of $31. Under the other option, owners can choose to pay their parcel’s share of Rose Valley Water Treatment Plant project costs upfront, in a lump sum payment of $2,750; and staff will remove $37.50 per quarter from the RV residential water flat rate on their utility bill, starting in 2026.

If you have questions about the options, please call Utility Billing staff at 778-797-8850.

Water Utility Master Plan Update

At the June 10 meeting, Council directed that staff not proceed with an independent review of the 2014 Water Utility Master Plan at an estimated additional cost to Rose Valley Water Service Area ratepayers of $50,000 to $150,000.

Staff will focus on the current Water Utility Master Plan Update. An independent review could have delayed the update, which will include input from experts, stakeholders and the public, referrals to key organizations such as Interior Health, and input and direction from Council prior to any consideration of adoption. The update is important for the long-term delivery and sustainability of the City’s water systems – both Rose Valley and Powers Creek.

Staff will inform the public through our website, eNotification system and social media channels about the opportunities for public consultation, which are expected this fall or winter – stay tuned.