Michael Brydon, RDOS Area F Director says the aquifer volume is on the rise with the cost of repairing the system in the 1-2 million dollar range.
Brydon says waiting for better info over a longer time period is valid due to the jumps and peaks in the data on the well water source in Faulder.
80 homes are supplied by this water system in this small rural community.
Built in 1993, the Faulder Water System is located 12 kilometers west of Summerland. Water is pumped from a deep ground well (known as a ground water source) through the distribution system to a storage reservoir with no chemical treatment. This water source has problems with uranium content above Canadian Drinking water standards.
Q and A
1) What is happening, or going to happen to the water system?
The RDOS has been actively looking into a practical remedy for the water supply; for
now and into the future. Due to the requirements of the grant funds, the Province has
requested an independent review to ascertain aquifer sustainability. Once that has
been accomplished, RDOS will have viable options for the system upgrade. Results
and cost options will be provided to residents when available. Request for Proposals
have been received for the aquifer review. Lastly, the grants already procured for
Faulder have been extended, and have not been rescinded.
2) A Summerland connection
It would be an extremely costly venture and require agreements from Summerland,
CPR, the RDOS, and the Penticton Indian Band. The current demands on the
Summerland system, may preclude the District of Summerland and RDOS from
proceeding with that option.
3) The uranium update
RDOS has received proposals for the removal of uranium down to a level below
Canadian Guidelines for Drinking Water Quality. This would be a self contained
package plant situated on site in an enclosed container at an estimated installation
price of $130,000 with an annual maintenance cost of $7,500. The uranium residual
would be contained in canisters for safe removal and disposal.
4) Why isn’t the bigger pump being put in?
Due to the current situation the well casing will not allow the larger capacity pump to be
re-instated. The work required to accommodate the higher capacity pump is not overly
expensive but, will require the shut down of the well for up to a week. If a new well is
required, this effort will be lost.
5) Why water bills have not been reduced after the loan was paid off?
The loan was retired in late 2011. Residents understand the water system requires
upgrading for the removal of uranium, and well remediation. These upgrades will
require ’reserves’ and probable loan to supplement the grant funding. The loan portion
of the water bills has been redirected to a reserve account. An up-to-date balance of
funds in the reserve account will be provided to residents when the options for the
system and financial encumbrances of the work are known.
Currently water rates are: $1810/yr. and the loan portion going into the reserve account is $330/yr. per property. Options will be presented, discussed and residents asked for their input, prior to any decision making.