Times-Chronicle Staff
The eastern side of Osoyoos will be getting a new water supply line after councillors approved a town staff recommendation to enter into a contract with Oliver-based Mike Johnson Excavating Ltd.
Two tenders were submitted for the project with the company coming in with the lowest bid followed by BD Hall Constructors Corp of Kelowna submitting a $680,112.30 bid.
The $678,904 project consists of approximately 180 metres of watermain installed via directional drilling from Gyro Park to Holiday Inn. In presenting the report, Jared Brounstein, director of operational services, said the project is meant to increase system reliability by providing a second connection between the east and west sides of Osoyoos Lake.
The proposed project also includes a second main for future use as a raw water supply main to a proposed water treatment plant on the west side of the lake. “This upgrading plan is consistent with long-term infrastructure upgrades planned to rectify water system deficiencies,” Brounstein said.
The project includes tie-ins to existing water infrastructure on either side of Osoyoos Lake and is also in compliance with environmental permitting and archaeological monitoring requirements.
In response to a question from water councillor Bob Appleby, Brounstein said the project will not solve water issues for the long term, but it is a short-term solution that will form part of a larger fix involving an additional water treatment plant. That is further out on the horizon and will need capital planning going forward, he added.
Councillor Jim King highlighted that the Dec. 3, 2021 completion date sounded “ambitious,” to which Brounstein agreed but said construction would be starting in mid-September at the southern end of Gyro, and boating will not be impacted he added.
Construction on a second water supply line to East Osoyoos will begin by mid-September.
