The town’s sewage lagoons next to the Osoyoos Golf Club have limited capacity for recycled water. During peak flood levels, the town was experiencing capacity issues. (© Google Maps)

RICHARD McGUIRE

Osoyoos Times

Extra water is still entering the town’s sewer system as residents pump water from flooded basements, but essential infrastructure related to sewer and water has been secured.

That’s the word from the Town of Osoyoos in a bulletin released Wednesday, but dated Tuesday.

“There is still additional water entering our sewer system from flooded basements and sump pumps pumping water into the system,” said the bulletin. “This action causes our pumping system to over work, which may lead to pump failure.”

Last Thursday the town issued an order under its emergency powers directing that water from flooded basements or ground water must not be directed into the town sewer system with sump pumps or other means.

Violators may be subject to penalty.

The town warns that if pumps fail, it may be forced to plug off the sewer system based on an area plan, which may result in some areas of town losing sewer services.

Already sewers in the evacuated areas, notably Harbour Key and Solana Key, have been plugged off from the town system and affected areas have no use of sewers.

The other concern is storage capacities for recycled water at the town’s lagoons next to the golf course.

“At peak flood levels we were experiencing capacity issues at the golf course lagoon storage,” the town’s bulletin said. “This situation was managed and we have implemented strategies to address this issue through additional drawdowns of our storage lagoons.”

The town warns that if there are issues with storage, a wider community sewer closure will be implemented in areas of high volumes.

Residents are asked to decrease their use of the sewer system.

To reduce pressure on the sewer system and to ensure safety and allow emergency services to function, the town is asking residents to cooperate in these ways:

  • Ensure that basement floor drains in current projected areas of flooding are covered to prevent additional water into the sewer system;
  • Disconnect all sump pumps that are connected to the Town sewer system immediately;
  • On a community wide basis, take actions to minimize the unnecessary use of the sewer system;
  • Stay away from shoreline parks;
  • Stay away from all areas of the marina as they are closed;
  • Minimize travel into affected areas as people are working and we don’t need additional vehicle travel;
  • Secure your docks and take responsibility for them if they do float away;
  • If you do gain access to the lake, slow travel is recommended to avoid flooding and shoreline erosion
  • Respect flaggers and detour routes that have been established;
  • If you are aware of people who may be having difficulty let the town office know and we will attempt to action support.