The appearance in recent weeks, of utility bills for water, sewer and garbage for the first quarter of 2025 has resulted in a flood of calls into the town office and mayhem on local social media as mis- and dis-information ran rampant.
Are outdoor water meter pits the best option, should there be tiered billing or non-tiered billing – these were just some of the questions that resulted in the decision around implementing universal water metering becoming deferred again.
Installation of water meters in homes and businesses in Osoyoos is moving along just swimmingly, according to a progress report to a council committee this week.
Providing the quarterly update for the Operational Services department, Rod Risling, CAO for the Town of Osoyoos noted the heavy workload the department was under given the ongoing projects and staff shortage including a still empty director position.
With the compulsory installation of water meters underway in Osoyoos, the town has approved a $500-per-day fine against anyone refusing to comply with the program.
The Regional District of the Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) will begin the process of implementing universal water metering in all water systems they own and manage.
“Water, water is a big one,” the town’s new chief administrator says thoughtfully as we sit down to discuss his role in stickhandling the issues Osoyoos is confronting.
“It’s a big issue, it’s going to be big money and so we really need to start moving on that now,” notes Rod Risling, Osoyoos Chief Administrative Officer (CAO).