Citizens for Changes to Master Water Plan

NEWS RELEASE-Citizens for Changes to the Master Water Plan

November 24^th, 2015

The story on page 5a in Sunday's Morning Star titled "OK source includes hurdles" clearly points to the need for independent consultation in the Stakeholders' Review of the Master Water Plan. The reported comments by RDNO staff and Greater Vernon Water Management reflect entrenched biases in favor of continuing the present direction of the MWP. To offer reasoned balance, these comments require an alternative perspective unreported at the time.  (The Morning Star story is reprinted at the bottom of this page).

Further, the timing of this public commentary by RDNO staff and GVW management on these matters is inappropriate, given that these topics are currently under consideration by the duly selected Stakeholders' Advisory Committee in their review of the MWP.

Last Thursday morning, The SAC was treated to a refreshingly open and frank presentation by Mr.Rod McLean P.Eng with Associate Engineering, author of Technical Memoranda 2, 3, and 5 of the 2012 MWP. Mr. McLean was supportive of a second look at the value of including Okanagan Lake as the most viable primary drinking water source for Greater Vernon's domestic water customers. Our neighbor cities to the South have successfully and without serious treatment issues of any kind, been using Okanagan Lake for drinking water for some years now and were successful at receiving treatment deferral from IHA. This means that Okanagan Lake water is considered by the Water Safety authority to be just as acceptable as the drinking water we currently receive from the Kal Lake supply, and at half the current rates we pay.

Engineer McTaggart refers to " the lack of scientific studies on water in the northern arm". 

While an update to the 135 page study of Water Quality Objectives in Okanagan Lake is called for, this study released in 2005, supports, with appropriate management, the continued development of Okanagan Lake for drinking water, and other domestic uses as a viable alternative. This study includes an analysis of water quality in the northern arm.

In light of the increasingly precarious use of high cost treated potable water used in irrigation of forage crops as well as a redundant source of drinking water to the community at large, the use of OK Lake as source should be further investigated.

The risk of Trihalomethane contamination which can occur when chlorine mixes with organic matter, is also, a clear and present danger to public health in using Duteau Creek water from upland sources, remains high without the intervention of expensive treatment levels to the present water supply.

Our prime drinking water source now is Kalamalka Lake which with its low cost treatment regimen, more than meets IHA drinking water safety standards. The same regimen which involves low level chlorine and ultraviolet treatment, comparable to that currently employed in Kelowna and Penticton, will achieve IHA drinking water safety standards.

There may well be other minor treatment, construction and financial issues other than those discussed, which require management of the Okanagan Lake resource, but these pale compared with the present and proposed high cost management of water supplied and treated at the Duteau Creek Treatment Plant.

It may well be that new challenges such as mussel infestation and sensitivity issues will occur. But there is a great deal of experience to be referred to from many North American communities regarding effective management of these concerns.

For example, these concerns can be reasonably handled with relocation of intake pipes to depths where mussels cannot colonize and with application of new piping and pumping technology and other preventative measures such as vigorous inspection and pre-entry interception, negative effects to the water supply system from any invasive species can be minimized.

Use of fear-based biased hyperbole in the press, by those who are mandated to provide support to a non-professional community based Stakeholders' Committee only undermines the ability for this Committee to achieve its goal of achieving an objective and constructive review of the Master Water Plan.

The Citizens for Change to the Master Water Plan reiterates its call for an independent consultant to help guide this process to a successful conclusion.

Terry Mooney, Chair, CCMWP

Member SAC

Contact Information: Terry Mooney, 250-542-2847, email temo@telus.net

And here the Morning Star story: 

by  Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star

• posted Nov 22, 2015 at 1:00 AM— updated Nov 22, 2015 at 6:29 AM

Okanagan Lake may not necessarily be the answer to Greater Vernon’s water demands.
Members of the master water plan stakeholders advisory committee were told Thursday that costly treatment processes will still be needed if the Okanagan Lake source is tapped.
“It will not likely be just chlorination and ultraviolet. There will be treatment,” said Dale McTaggart, Regional District of North Okanagan’s general manager of engineering.
While communities in the central and southern parts of the valley use Okanagan Lake for water, McTaggart says there are no scientific studies on water quality in the northern arm.
One possibility from using Okanagan Lake is trihalomethanes, a group of compounds that can form when the chlorine used to disinfect drinking water reacts with naturally occurring organic matter (decaying leaves and vegetation), according to Health Canada.
To avoid such situations, Zee Marcolin, Greater Vernon Water manager, says water pipes would have to be extended far out into the lake’s main arm and such a proposition could be expensive for the utility.
The other issue is that GVW is running into challenges getting provincial approval to access water from Okanagan Lake.
“It’s been a year-and-a-half and they haven’t even come to the table provincially,” said Marcolin of trying to obtain a water license.
“We’re in a holding pattern.”
One possible reason for the hold-up is that Greater Vernon may not need Okanagan Lake water for 50 years.
“It’s a low priority for them (province) because it’s not something you need right now,” said Rod MacLean, with Associated Engineering.
It was also suggested that provincial departments are short-staffed and facing demands from communities with immediate water issues.
While there have been suggestions of abandoning Duteau Creek for domestic use, Marcolin says it could still be needed if quagga and zebra mussels  show up in Kalamalka and Okanagan lakes.
“With Kal Lake, the risk is high because of very high calcium levels. It’s the perfect environment (for the invasive species),” she said, adding that Duteau Creek has low calcium levels so its risk is reduced.
These mussels clog water intake pipes, pumps and boat motors. They also deplete food sources for fish and produce toxins that kill fish and birds and contaminate drinking water.

"Fear-based hyperbole," admits Kia, "got the water utility this far, but the newspaper wasn't always so clearly on their laps." 

 

Three Times Kelowna's Water Rate!

Yessireebob.

That's what North Okanagan residents today pay for water from the Greater Vernon Water system.
How's that for a growth management strategy?

Citizens for Change to the Master Water Plan made two 10-minute presentations yesterday...the first to new Vernon Mayor Akbal Mund and Council, the second to District of Coldstream acting mayor Pat Cochrane and Council. 

Not surprisingly, area reps to the Greater Vernon Advisory Committee were reluctant to revisit the Master Water Plan, voiced vociferously by Councillor Doug Dirk from Coldstream.

But numbers from the presentation spoke volumes...and 15 or so members of the public were frankly shocked to learn of the disparity.  Hushed comments were often heard from both public galleries.

Eric Jackson addresses Vernon council with a spellbinding presentation.

Terry Mooney, Chair of Citizens for Change introduces plans from the grassroots group.

"Otherwise we can apply to participate in Communities in Doom, versus Communities in Bloom," suggests Kia.

Ordinary People Take a Stand

Thank goodness for grassroots groups.
Especially when bureaucrats and a majority of politicians within an entrenched system resist public will.
Stubbornly resist.

Tomorrow, March 23rd, 2015, at 1:30 pm will see a presentation to Vernon City Council, followed by a 6 pm presentation at Coldstream Municipal Hall's council chambers.

"Current domestic, commercial, agricultural and recreational water bills are unsustainable, a disincentive to new business locating in our region, and are creating a problem for the entire water user base." T.Mooney

Both meetings are open to the public.
So...for everyone who has expressed frustration and concern about the path that Greater Vernon Water is taking despite the failed $70 million referendum this Fall...go listen to the presentations.

See whether YOUR elected official supports your views.
Hold your politician to account.
Especially since the majority of politicians said they would vote "NO" to the borrowing referendum.

Listen for constructive solutions to the ever-widening chasm between residents and the water bureaucrats who refuse to even consider revisiting the plan.

Citizens for Change to the Master Water Plan are doing this on behalf of North Okanagan residents who have seen outrageous increases to water invoices since the original Master Water Plan was shelved.
The group will present an alternative to the MWP.

And an alternative is demanded by residents who pay three times what Kelowna residents pay.

CCMWP's chair, Terry Mooney says there's a need to revisit the direction of the Master Water Plan because officials continue to have faith in Duteau Creek as the chief source for drinking water in the region.  

The Morning Star newspaper today printed:  "This results in the continuation of providing filtered and chlorinated water for agricultural activity and while we use this water for fields and crops, the cost of drinking water escalates."

"We will recommend reverting the Duteau Creek water supply to agriculture as was the original intent.  Our recommendation will be to evaluate the use of both Okanagan and Kalamalka Lakes as the primary source for drinking water for the region," offered Terry Mooney.

The newspaper continues:  "Current domestic, commercial, agricultural and recreational water bills are unsustainable, a disincentive to new business locating in our region, and are creating a problem for the entire water user base."

"Perhaps Guide Dogs are permitted into tomorrow's meetings?" asks Kia.

Officials Told Water Consultants "NO" to Okanagan Lake

Everything has history.

Did you know that natural settling clarifies/filters water?
Yup, and Mother Nature does that for free! 

When the public learns of the one folly (of telling water consultants "NO" to Okanagan Lake/Kal Lake for all domestic use), they'll be livid.

"...they (water consultants) all concluded that NOWA (now Duteau Creek) water was the least desirable for domestic use.  Kalamalka Lake, followed by Okanagan Lake, water was found to be much more desirable."

Yup, and pertinent excerpts from newspapers have the historical record to back it up.
With one or two exceptions, it wasn't elected officials who made the decisions!

It was chiefly bureaucrats/unelected people who told water consultants what to do.
Then water consultants were tasked with figuring out how to do it.

"The real villains are those whose dereliction of duties

led to this disastrous (water) situation."

  G. Kiss

So let's look at historical Letters to the Editor, beginning with this one 13 years ago, June 30, 2002:
(Bold/highlighting:  blog author).

Water Woes Reach the Boiling Point, by Gyula Kiss
Greater Vernon residents are being warned that the only way to avoid future boil water advisories is to buy into a multi-million dollar plan (Morning Star, June 5).

Are my eyes deceiving me?  Could this be for real?  
The boil water advisory involved 3,000 customers of NOWA (formerly VID).  The rest of the 40,000 customers who are getting their water from Kalamalka Lake were fine.  How come the solution for the 3,000 customers would be to change the source of water supply for everyone else at an exorbitant cost?  

The $100 million (and probably much more by the time it's completed) plan involves the filtering and disinfecting and distributing of NOWA water to all Greater Vernon customers.  My question is:  Would it not be cheaper to disinfect, if necessary, and distribute Kalamalka or Okanagan Lake water to all domestic customers?  Disinfection will be either by ultra-violet irradiation or ozone treatment -- either of which would kill all micro-organisms including Giardia (beaver fever) and Criptosporidium.  No filtration would be necessary for the lake water as natural settling achieves that.  

In the 26 years I have lived in the Greater Vernon area, the only time I had trouble with the water occurred when the source was from NOWA.  Turbidity, sometimes odour, colour and micro-organisms were the main problems with the water.  Some years we also had water shortages when even agricultural users were put on rationing (many of us may remember the time Grizzly Swamp was drained, resulting in major fish kill and rationing).  I wonder how we could provide adequate water to our customers if we were to use NOWA sources.

Numerous earlier water studies have been commissioned for the North Okanagan and they all concluded that NOWA water was the least desirable for domestic use.  Kalamalka Lake, followed by Okanagan Lake, water was found to be much more desirable.

Compelling arguments may convince me (although not likely) that "bottled quality" (and close to bottle priced) water may be the best for my lawn, toilets, dishwasher, etc.  It would be a lot more difficult to convince me that NOWA water is the best to treat for domestic use.

Politicians seem to think that we all have bottomless pockets.  Having just spent $25 million on the Multiplex and the Performing Arts Centre, and another million on the new Coldstream Municipal Hall, I am in no mood to spend $100 million on a new water treatment plant when it appears that better alternatives are available.  Perhaps local politicians' priorities have been skewed all along.

G. Kiss

Want more historical proof of the water authority's idiocy?
The next 18 pages are valuable correspondence and Letters to the Editor, all provided  here.  

Then this second set of links provide yet more compelling comments, some from the public, in particular, see "Four Reasons to Say No" by Tom Skinner, Letter to the Editor dated May 12, 2004.

"Otherwise what would the $70 million have been for?" quips Kia.

Indeed, what was the $70 million for? 

Time to change the roster at the camp?

The grassroots group "Citizens for Change to the Master Water Plan" was recently formed to remind officials at Greater Vernon Water that the public said NO to the six projects of the Master Water Plan when they voted overwhelmingly against borrowing the $70 million for the Plan.

Greater Vernon Water bureaucrats, via their mouthpiece, director Mike Macnabb, don't see it that way.

"That's ludicrous," says Kia.

The Macnabb Water Authority

Never mind that he’s only one director at Greater Vernon Water. 

The North Okanagan world revolves around the Macnabb Principle!

At least that's the way it seems...like a one-man show.

Of course, regional district bureaucrats are thrilled that Macnabb—the director they appointed to head their own water committee—conveyed their thoughts verbatim.

“We have a water utility to operate; we have a Master Water Plan” he stated petulantly during today’s Greater Vernon Advisory Committee meeting at North Okanagan Regional District.

Barely containing his irritation that there had been a Motion and Second (Spiers and Kiss) for a moratorium on the six projects contained in the Master Water plan—until further discussion could evaluate perhaps more prudent options—he stated that the $70 million referendum was only to borrow the money…nothing else (referring to the craftily-worded referendum question). 

One reason for the motion was because one of the plan’s projects—Raising Aberdeen Dam $6.4 million—was scheduled for 2022 during the Master Water Plan's "communication" with the public scarcely four months ago.  Yet plans are apparently underway to move that project to this—or next—year. 

 

The consensus of the grassroots Citizens for Change to the Master Water Plan is that the public denied the referendum because the public denies the water utility the six projects of the Master Water Plan – indeed the plan itself.

Will the public raise a hue and cry when they learn of Macnabb's refusal to consider other directors' points of view?

Macnabb's water authority still isn't happy with only a 2 per cent increase in rates this year.  He had wanted a minimum of 4 per cent, but would have loved 10 per cent.  This despite there being $15 million dollars in "reserves".

Source: Coldstream Councillor G. Kiss

Nobody seems to care that the North Okanagan still pays double what residents of Kelowna pay.

 

Least of all director Macnabb...his residence gets water from a well.

Not all his constituents are on a well.  Wonder if they think he is representing their opinion.

"He's a disrespectful bully," offers Kia, "treating his peers with disdain."

You got that right.

Free window stickers...make your own

 

You Voted "No" in the Water Referendum

But don't leave it at that.
Or everything could fizzle, with same ole' same ole' rearing its ugly head soon.

Attend the North Okanagan Regional District this Thursday -- March 5th -- at 8 a.m.
(yes, it's early) but it's important.

Yes, it's important for you to see your elected politician--and how they vote--in a request for a moratorium on all spending by RDNO on the six water projects from the failed referendum.

The grassroots group "Citizens for Change to the Master Water Plan" agree with the way you voted when you said no to spending $70 million. 

They've committed to helping you.

Will Greater Vernon Advisory Committee members accept the Motion on a moratorium?
Listen to their discussion if the Motion is accepted.
And blame them if the Motion for a moratorium fails.
Because it means they've waffled and deferred to the bureaucrats...again.

Go see whether you should have voted "no"

when your politician was wanting your vote.

"Just be there, and bring a neighbour," barks Kia.

Consider it a Performance Appraisal of your politician...