A cost overrun isn’t stopping a project that will take Oyama residents off a boil water alert.
Lake Country council agreed Tuesday to amend the budget for the Kalamalka Lake interconnect project by $460,000. That move was necessary after the originally expected $5 million budget fell short.
“The passing of this addition to the project budget shows the willingness of the council to work together for the benefit of our entire community and is a testament to the ward system of local government,” said Coun. Owen Dickie.
There are a number of reasons for the overrun including some changes to the work, the budget being drawn up three years ago and the only tender being higher than projected.
“The project was estimated at $5 million instead of $5.4 million,” said Mayor James Baker.
“We want to do it instead of deferring it to another time.”
Once completed in about a year, the project will provide ultraviolet treatment, a booster station to interconnect the Kalamalka Lake and Oyama Lake sources and an Oyama Lake source reservoir.
“By the end of March 2013, the long standing boil water advisory on the Wood Lake water system will be lifted,” said Dickie.
“While many residents certainly feel it has been too long in coming, there has been a significant amount of work done in preparation for this project, including a new bridge to access the site and well as numerous approvals from regulatory bodies such as the Department of Fisheries.”
Baker is also pleased to see the project proceeding.
“The reservoir will provide more water and better water for more users,” he said.
“The boil water has been a constant irritation for the people who live there. The water is not unhealthy but the turbidity does not meet the regulations the Interior Health Authority has changed.”
Council has awarded a $3.9 million contract for construction to Greyback Construction.