Ground Source Water Assessment and Protection Plan
Town of Oliver
Project Goals: Oliver operates the second-largest supply of groundwater in the Okanagan Valley. Many of the wells are relatively shallow and located in developed areas. Development of a long-term groundwater protection strategy has been a goal for the community for many years and preliminary steps to realizing this goal began several years ago. Interior Health supports development of protection plans following the “Comprehensive Source to Tap Assessment Guideline” and it is the objective of this project to use community engagement combined with science to complete Modules 1, 2, 7 and 8 of the Guide.
This project will directly improve the ability to protect ground source drinking water. This is similar to many Source-to-tap assessments that have been funded.
Project Budget: $35,000 Recommended Funding: $15,000
Regional Water Use and Conservation Bylaw
Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen
Project Goals: The creation of a Region-Wide Water Use and Conservation Regulation Bylaw is intended to unify water use standards within the Regional District operated water systems, helping ensure that there is a sufficient quantity of clean and healthy quality water available now and in the future for all user sectors and environmental needs within the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen, which will support healthy communities and a robust economy. This will protect and enhance the quality of life for our residents through water conservation/efficiency and sustainable water management, integration of drought management recommendations, inclusion of Cross Connection Control (CCC) requirements and consistent interpretation of the regulations.
Staff Notes: This project has the potential to be a leap forward in water protection in the Okanagan. It is timely given the Water Sustainability Act, and may assist in the development of a valley-wide Water Sustainability Plan in the future. It is innovative, and could inform other local governments wishing to adopt similar policies.
Project Budget: $40,000 Recommended Funding: $10,525
Okanagan River Restoration Initiative – Water Quality Assurance
Okanagan Nation Alliance
Project Goals: The overall goal of the ORRI restoration work is to regain some of the Okanagan River habitat quality and quantity that has been lost, returning channelized river portions back to more natural conditions. ORRI works involve relocating the dikes, lengthening the channel, re-establishing meanders and pool/riffle sequences, creating nature-like features, reconnecting historic floodplains and replanting riparian vegetation. The ORRI long term purpose is to improve water quality; to create self-sustainable, complex and diverse habitat for fish and wildlife; and to enhance the human relation with the river ecosystem. ORRI-Penticton Channel spawning.
This fourth Phase of ORRI focuses on the creation of naturally-like fish spawning features in the Penticton channel area because fish spawning habitat is very limited in this portion of the Okanagan Basin. This project aims the construction of two spawning platforms which will create high quality fish habitat; provide public viewing opportunities of salmon and trout spawning; and reduce the abundance of introduced exotic species, such as the Eurasian watermilfoil.
Water Quality Assurance during Construction Work (portion of the project involving potential OBWB funding):
During construction, the project aims to limit as much as possible the risks for potential immediate negative perturbations on water quality and the surrounding environment. The goal is to assure the preservation of water quality in the Okanagan River and Skaha Lake during all works.
Staff Notes: This very important multi-year project focusses on direct action to restore large sections of the Okanagan River. Funding from the OBWB will be used to leverage funding from the U.S. bringing new money into the Okanagan.
Project Budget: $362,220 Recommended Funding: $10,000
Park Rill Riparian and Aquatic Assessment
Okanagan Similkameen Stewardship Society
Project Goals: The proposed project will increase an understanding and build community support for habitat-based ecological values along the Park Rill watercourse near Oliver, BC. Immediate and long-term results of this project include identification and mitigation of threats to riparian and aquatic species, water quality concerns will be identified and addressed, restoration opportunities are identified, prioritized and some addressed immediately, threats to riparian and aquatic species and/or their habitat are identified, ceased, removed or mitigated and the Friends of Park Rill are engaged and conserving habitats and water in their community.
Staff Notes: The Friends of Park Rill and OSSS are community based organizations that have been successful in the past at improving the source protection around their waterway. This type of project demonstrate the ability of community groups to enhance the quality of water in the valley.
Project Budget: $44,150 Recommended Funding: $8,000