Four Arrow Lakes water systems transferred to Central Kootenay District
The Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) and BC Hydro are pleased to announce that the transfer of four Arrow Lakes community drinking water systems to RDCK services will be finalized on January 4th, 2011.
Both organizations would like to invite local residents to attend an event to celebrate the completion of the transfer process. Please join us at the pump house in Burton, located at 105 Lower McCormack Road, on Wednesday January 5th, 2011 at 2 p.m.
The transfer project involves community drinking water systems in Burton, Edgewood, Fauquier, and West Robson that were constructed and previously operated by BC Hydro.
As part of the transfer project, BC Hydro will complete planned upgrades to bring each system into compliance with Interior Health Authority's drinking water objectives. The utility has also established capital reserve funds totaling $2 million that will be used to finance future system upgrades and replacement. As a result of these commitments, residents will continue to receive high quality, safe drinking water.
“BC Hydro is committed to the well-being of communities in which we operate and listening to the people in those communities,” said David Lebeter, Vice President – Transmission and Distribution, Operations and Safety for BC Hydro. “Residents spoke very clearly by voting in favour of transferring ownership of the drinking water systems to the Regional District.
"Everyone will benefit from the new arrangement, and it will allow BC Hydro to focus on our core business – powering British Columbia with clean, reliable electricity, at affordable rates, for generations.”
The success of this project can be attributed to the collaborative approach taken between BC Hydro, the RDCK, and the majority of community residents who approved the water system transfer through a referendum on September 11, 2010. John Kettle, Chair of the Regional District’s Board of Directors, stated. “This is a prime example of the public working in concert with BC Hydro and the Regional District to establish and maintain water systems that will now be sustainable for the benefit of the taxpayers.
"A special thanks to former Chair Gary Wright, Area K Regional Director Paul Peterson, and Area J Regional Director Gordon Zaitsoff for their efforts in making this a reality.”
For more information please visit www.rdck.bc.ca.
Contact:
Lauren Rethoret
Water Services Liaison
Regional District of Central Kootenay
250 352 8171
lrethoret@rdck.bc.ca