By Sebastian Kanally, Times Chronicle
Oliver’s irrigation season start date is set for April 15, and the canal diversion is set for April 8.
Town council agreed on these dates and town staff will start advertising, allowing customers and employees enough time to plan for the irrigation season.
The report to council notes that these dates are the earliest that staff could start the irrigation system this year. This is due to being behind schedule in the canal cleaning and maintenance.
The report explains that there is additional work of pressure washing that has “not been done for years.” Additional work in the form of concrete repairs will also be necessary due to the pressure washing, according to the report.
Up until the time the report was presented to council, on March 11, town staff had only completed the north side of the canal. This is despite the fact that staff began pressure washing in late fall.
The canal diversion date, which will begin on Monday, April 8, initiates diverting water from the Okanagan River. This process will fill the irrigation canal and prepare pumphouses prior to the irrigation turn-on one week later.
Kelly Mercer, director of operations for the town explained in the report that it takes approximately four days for the crew to follow, fill, and do checks in various sections of the canal and start the service turn-ons.
The water ionizers and screen upgrades that the town approved back in January of this year will be completed by the time these turn on, Mercer explained to council.
Oliver town council also approved expanding the rural water system boundary to include one property at 300 Road 11.
Mercer explained to council that the property was serviced back in 2008, but were just never tied into the system six water system.
The current owner submitted a water service application to receive domestic water service. All costs to connect the water service will be at the owner’s expense.
