Many North Okanagan communities will pay more for water next year.
The Electoral Area Advisory Community has gone over 2017 rates for the water utilities for Grindrod, Gunter Ellison, Mabel Lake, Whitevale and Silver Star.
“They are going up in modest amounts,” said Bob Fleming, EAAC chairperson.
For the Grindrod utility, the rate will climb from $580 to $597, while it will go from $686 to $700 for Gunter Ellison. The Mabel Lake water rate will increase from $383 to $404, and it will go from $788 to $828 for the Whitevale utility.
Rates will vary at Silver Star, but for a residential property using 80 cubic metres of water, it will go from $465 to $437, while a commercial property with 200 pillows and a consumption of 2,000 cubic metres will see water go from $7,742 to $8,120.
The utilities have a number of projects planned throughout 2017, including replacing the raw water main at Silver Star, installing chlorine analyzers at Mabel Lake reservoirs, upgrading the chlorination system in Grindrod and installing a standby generator in Whitevale.
With the Interior Health Authority demanding upgrades from utilities of all sizes, Fleming says the small services in the region must be a priority.
“The regional district is doing some of the upgrades necessary and reserves are being built up,” he said.
The 2017 rates must still be approved by the Regional District of North Okanagan board.