Grindrod residents have had to deal with frequent boil water notices of late, but a new generator has been installed to cut down on the number of times residents are told their water isn't up to standard.
The generator is now up and running at the Grindrod Water Treatment Plant, supporting the facility in the event of power outages, the Regional District of North Okanagan (RDNO) announced Wednesday, Nov. 6.
The Grindrod area sees frequent power outages, and these outages depressurize the water distribution system, resulting in multiple boil water notices being issued in accordance with new Interior Health regulations.
The RDNO says the installation of a standby power generator allows the water system to operate during power outages, avoiding the need for such frequent boil water notices.
“This project is an excellent example of how the Canada Community-Building Fund supports vital infrastructure improvements in communities across the country,” said the Emergency Preparedness Minister Harjit S. Sajjan, on behalf of Housing Minister Sean Fraser. “By investing in projects like these, we’re not just ensuring that essential services, such as safe and reliable water, are maintained during emergencies, we’re also helping local governments like the Regional District of North Okanagan build infrastructure that will benefit residents for decades to come.”
Significant electrical upgrades were also completed to allow for the installation of the generator. Upgrades included the water treatment plant's electrical infrastructure, which was heavily corroded due to the high humidity inside the building generated by the water treatment process. The RDNO said the upgrade of electrical equipment inside the water treatment plant will improve the water utility, reducing long-term maintenance costs and improving the resilience of the water system.
“The completion of this phase of the project marks a significant step forward in improving the reliability and safety of our water systems,” said Allysa Hopkins, Director of RDNO Electoral Area F. “With the frequent power outages in the area, this new system will ensure that residents no longer need to worry about boil water notices during these already inconvenient interruptions”.
The project was fully funded by the Electoral Area F Community Works Fund for a total of of $460,000 from the federal Canada Community-Building Fund.
