December 22, 2010

Harold Reay - CAO

Regional District of the Central Okanagan

1450 KLO Road

Kelowna, BC V1W 3Z4

Re:      Trepanier Bench Water Feasibility Study - Application Letter of Support

We understand the Regional District of the Central Okanagan (RDCO) has made a grant application for a drinking water related feasibility study.   This feasibility study will explore the option of connecting the Trepanier Bench and Paradise Valley residents to the District of Peachland Water System.  This portion of the RDCO borders the District of Peachland and is within reach of the District’s main water supply line.  The Trepanier Bench and Paradise Valley area includes approximately 80 private homes with individual wells and three small water systems: Trepanier Ditch Water Users Community, Star Place Water System, and Camp Okanagan RV Park.   The Trepanier Ditch Water Users Community, a high risk water system, relies on untreated surface water from Trepanier Creek and remains on a permanent boil water notice. 

Grant funding would help offset many of the costs associated with the feasibility study investigating the possibility of an area wide connection to the District of Peachland water system.  Connecting to the District of Peachland water system would benefit the residents of the Trepanier Bench and Paradise Valley region of the RDCO through secured access to safe, reliable tap water and highly trained water operators within the District.  The connection to the District of Peachland water system would also reduce the number of small water systems on permanent boil water notice in the area; an expectation expressed in the 2008 Ombudsman Report “Fit to Drink”.

Please accept this letter from Interior Health strongly supporting this application.  Interior Health supports the Regional District of the Central Okanagan in their efforts to better protect and manage drinking water in the Central Okanagan area.  Providing access to larger water systems such as the District of Peachland makes sense for this portion of the regional district from a public health, economic, and community investment standpoint.
 

If you have any questions regarding this letter please contact me weekdays at (250) 770-3530 in the Penticton Health Centre.

Yours truly,

Joanne Edwards, CPHI(C)

Small Water System Specialist

Interior Health Authority

cc:       Gundie Volk, Team Leader Health Protection, Interior Health

            Dr. Paul Hasselback, Medical Health Officer, Interior Health

            Robert Birtles, Water Quality Technical Specialist, Interior Health

            Tristin Wilson, Environmental Health Officer, Interior Health

            Christina Yamada, Public Health Engineer, Interior Health

            Wayne Radomske, Public Health Engineer, Interior Health

            Doug Allin, Director of Operations, District of Peachland

            Dave Smith, Director of Planning & Development Services, District of Peachland

            Jim Edgson, Director Central Okanagan West, RDCO

            WS Files