Rural district and Osoyoos to work on getting rural septic-tank users onto sewer system
By Julie TurnerrnOsoyoos Times
Osoyoos Council gave its support in principal last week to work with the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) to get the northwest rural area (Lacey Point to Willow Beach) hooked onto the town's sewer system.
Area 'A' Director Mark Pendergraft appealed to the Town at the May 1 Council meeting to work jointly on getting sewer service in place for the area.
I'm here tonight to seek the potential for a joint user agreement for sewers, particularly for the northwest sector, Pendergraft said at the meeting.
I'm sure you all agree that there is a definite need for sewers around the lake. It's something that's been worked on for a number of years, but never seems to come to any completion.rnHe was looking for a motion from Council to allow RDOS and Town staff to work together to begin the process of formalizing an agreement.
Pendergraft said that after the failure of the last Osoyoos boundary expansion initiative, which asked rural residents in several areas (including the northwest sector) if they wanted to join the Town, he sent a letter to Derek Trimmer, the province's Director of Local Government Structure, to see what could be done.
Pendergraft noted Trimmer said in a recent email that it was incumbent upon local governments to deal with the issue.
Mr. Trimmer also clarified that the Regional District is eligible for infrastructure funding, just like a municipality, and that was something that was not made clear to everybody in the past, Pendergraft said.
Council agreed that, although the boundary expansion failed, the future of the lake is the paramount issue. It also gave its support in principal to Pendergraft in finding a way to get the area onto the Town's sewer.
Pendergraft pointed out that an easement for the sewer line has been in place since 2003 and expires in 2008, so there is a need to move forward with this sector in a timely fashion.rnThe ecology of the lake does not know political boundaries. We must show the willingness to work together for the benefit of the lake and residents of the Osoyoos area.
Mayor John Slater said Council encourages you to work with the provincial ministry to make this work and we will do whatever we can to achieve this.
First, however, Council wants to see a feasibility study undertaken to determine the costs, and to look into what the provincial legislation says about joint service agreements, before committing further. Pendergraft said the Regional District has made an application for funding to undertake the study.
Osoyoos Acting CAO Jim Zakall said Trimmer should have a response back to the Town within two weeks and Council agreed to refer Pendergraft's request to its May 15 meeting.
