Vintage Views Wastewater and Lakeshore Waterworks utilities will transfer to the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen on Sept. 29.
At present, the utilities are privately owned but will be transferred from their current owner to the regional district.
The regional district has been working with the owner to develop a transition plan. This plan includes transferring permits, licenses and documentation.
During the transition period, the regional district will conduct further assessments of the two utilities. These assessments will include systems, facilities and operations.
A plan will then be developed to integrate the utilities with the regional district’s operations.
No service charges are anticipated during the transition period, but billing rates and timelines are still being determined.
In April, a referendum was held on having the regional district take over the two utilities.
An assessment report, presented to the regional district last fall, stated that Vintage Views has numerous problems with the existing wastewater treatment plan and infiltration filed. Lakeshore Waterworks also requires improvement projects to comply with regulatory and health and safety standards.
The Vintage Views system was established in 2003 and serves 78 households and 33 vacant lots, for a total of 111 connections.
The Lakeshore system, which received authorization in 1975, services 332 parcels including 41 vacant lots.
For Vintage Views, properties serviced by the wastewater utility are anticipated to see their annual parcel tax reach $4,308.30 for the next 30 years. For the Lakeshore Waterworks Utility, the cost is estimated at $2,869.17 a year, over 30 years.
