The RDOS is drafting up new bylaws to provide water and sewer services to the Gallagher Lake community.
Deer Park Estates is proposing a 30-lot subdivision as its final phase of the development, and residents have petitioned the RDOS to create water and sanitary service areas to accommodate the infrastructure.
Deer Park is requesting connections to the Osoyoos Indian Band (OIB) water and sewer systems operated by Senkulmen Utilities Ltd. (the new business park).
The developer of the final phase of Deer Park has agreed to construct 675 metres of water and sanitary infrastructure to connect to OIB services. As part of the agreement, the RDOS will contribute funding from the gas tax program, and operate the community infrastructure between OIB lands and Deer Park.
Senkulmen will supply potable water to the RDOS for distribution to Deer Park and Gallagher Lake area in the future. The RDOS will also operate a sewage collection system to transmit wastewater to Senkulmen treatment plant. (The Gallagher Lake community is primarily serviced by groundwater wells and septic systems.)
There are opportunities for other adjacent property owners (along the Gallagher Lake frontage road) to connect to the proposed infrastructure. Some have already expressed interest in doing this.
The RDOS had previously placed a condition on a development permit for a local distillery to be served by the new infrastructure.
Area C director Allan Patton said the new water and sewer system will initially be provided on the west side of Highway 97. He noted it could be expanded to the east side in the future.
