Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about this project. If you still have questions about this project, please contact us.
The proposed location of the treatment facilities is on a 2.5-acre site purchased by the Township of Spallumcheen. Click here to see a map.
The project will provide sewer service to portions of RDNO Electoral Areas B and C, the Township of Spallumcheen’s southeast industrial area, and the Okanagan Indian Band. Currently, this is one of the last developed areas of the Okanagan without a community sewer system. Replacing septic systems with a sewer system will address pressing environmental and economic challenges:
- Contaminants from the septic systems currently used to treat residential, commercial and industrial wastewater are leaching into Swan Lake, negatively affecting water quality and bird habitats.
- The leachates are limiting recreational opportunities for the communities along the corridor.
- Septic systems limit economic growth opportunities.
- Reclaimed water for irrigation is needed to support agriculture
- Mitigate the impact of a warmer climate.
The North Okanagan Wastewater Recovery Project will:
- Protect Swan Lake water quality
- Provide development opportunities for residential and commercial/industrial properties within the proposed service area (with supportive zoning)
- Enable appropriate and sustainable economic development in all three jurisdictions
- Enhance recreational use of the corridor
- Increase property values and market appeal
The estimate for the North Okanagan Wastewater Recovery Project is $48M. This estimate will be updated once a contractor has been selected for the construction.
More than 80% of the total project cost will be covered by grant funding.
A contractor will be selected by early 2024. Construction is anticipated to begin in Spring 2024 and be complete by late 2025.
The wastewater recovery system will include collection and transmission infrastructure, a wastewater recovery facility, effluent storage ponds, and an irrigation and water re-use network. Learn more here.
Malfunctioning septic systems are contributing to the degradation of Swan Lake water quality. Within five years of the wastewater recovery system becoming active, the water quality will likely improve.
However, septic system failures are not the only source of water contamination. Water quality will improve over time if everybody in the area works towards better environmental stewardship and practices.
Over the past several years, the North Okanagan Wastewater Recovery Project has faced escalating construction costs. To cover the increased costs, the project team sought out additional funding.
In June 2023, the Regional District of North Okanagan received $9.5 million from the Province of BC. This additional funding will enable work to resume, with construction anticipated to start in 2024.
Please use the contact form to request a property questionnaire to let us know where you would like your sewer service connection to be located. Please note that we cannot guarantee that all requests will be satisfied, but the information you are able to provide about your property will be carefully considered.
