The District of Lake Country is expected to apply for two grants that would eliminate hundreds of septic tanks, expand sewer services and aid in the construction of a new booster station project.
The grant applications will be made under the federal and provincial governments’ Clean Water and Wastewater Fund.
A $1.5-million wastewater collection and septic expansion project would see sanitary sewer service extended to 700 homes in two areas of Lake Country: The east facing slopes of Winfield from Bond Road to Mountainview Road as well as the Cornwall and Oyama isthmus subdivisions of Oyama.
According to Lake Country staff, the project would eliminate about 700 septic tanks and fields, most of which are old, inefficient and pose environmental concerns “by releasing either septic wastewater derived pathogens or nutrient loading into down gradient surface water receptors.”
Two past reports have identified the septic tanks as an issue in those areas. In 2011 a liquid water management plan identified the areas in need of expanded sewer service, while a 2015 consultants’ report confirmed the failing on-site septic systems.
Both studies recommended that the central wastewater collection system be expanded to bring municipal sewer service to the neighbourhoods.
The project is only to design it and is just the first stage of the process with the second and more costly stage being construction.
“The second stage is significant and will cost around $20 million, funding construction will be pursued through future grant opportunities,” a report to council stated.
If the grant is successful, Lake Country’s portion would be $255,000 and would be funded from the sewer capital reserve.
The second grant application is for a $5.8-million grant under the Clean Water and Wastewater Funding program to go towards the Eldorado Treated Water Reservoir and Glenmore Booster Station projects.
It will be the second grant application for the same project as Lake Country hopes to better its chances at receiving funding, according to a staff report, which also laid out the key benefits of the project:
• Provides higher quality water to customers connected to the Beaver Lake water system.
• Improves chlorine disinfection process, reducing the risk of water borne disease.
• Improves fire protection on both the Beaver Lake and Okanagan Lake water systems.
• Provides a critical piece of infrastructure needed for the construction of the water treatment facility.
The Eldorado treated water reservoir was first identified in 2006. This year Lake Country council approved $500,000 to design the booster station and in April staff submitted a grant application under a different program.
“Given the value ($7 million total) and importance of this project as well as with discussions with provincial staff, we are applying under this (new) grant program to increase the chances of being successful,” stated a report to council.
If the grant application is successful, Lake Country’s portion of the cost of the project — $1.19 million — would be funded from development cost charges.
Lake Country council is expected to approve the submission grant applications at its Tuesday night meeting.