Upper Fintry, Shalal Road, Valley of the Sun Water System

Project Name:
Upper Fintry, Shalal Road, Valley of the Sun Water System

Notice:  Information meeting April 14th (details below)

Related Projects:

File Number: 5600-20-15

Start Date: Under Design

Substantial Completion Date: October 2011

Number of Units:   341 residential parcels

Project Cost: (estimated):   $5,936,000 

Unit Cost:  Not to exceed$17,500 per residential unit

Taxation/Unit/Year: Depends on interest rate at time of borrowing. Based on 30 year amortization:

• $1,200 per unit per year (estimated)

Costs to Connect:  (based on today's rates and subject to change)

• Application Fee: $200.00
• Building Permit Fee: $150.00 ($50.00 is refunded once connection is approved)
• Water Meter:  $440.00
• Plus, all on-site costs to connect the existing residence to the service connection at the property line are the responsibility of the owner.

Project Site Plan:
Project Boundary 

Description:

• To provide both domestic water service with fire flows to 341 residential parcels in the service area encompassing the subdivisions of Upper Fintry, Shalal Road and Valley of the Sun.

Current Status:

• Part A - Engineering Services contract awarded to True Consulting Group Inc. to identify the preferred water source(s) and prepare the preliminary project design..
• Design underway.
• Public Information Meeting - Wednesday, April 14th 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Killiney Beach Community Hall, 514 Udell Road in Killiney Beach.  Updated information will be available for residents on this project and several other key topics.  View More Details.

Consultant: 

• Engineering Services - Part A
  True Consulting Group Inc., Brian Beach, P.Eng., Phone: (250) 861-8783   Fax: (250) 861-8773

Contractor:  Contract not yet awarded

RDCO Contact:   Delphine Maja, Sr. Engineering Technologist, Phone: (250) 469-6262   Fax: (250) 762-7011 Email: delphine.maja@cord.bc.ca

Background: 

North Westside Water Service Feasibility Study

September 2009:  The Regional District issued a Request for Proposals for Engineering Services specifically for water source identification and preliminary design of the water system for the three areas of the North Westside. The Regional Board is expected to consider a contract award for this portion of the project this fall.  On completion of this first phase, a second Request for Proposals is expected for the final design, tender and construction management components of the water system project.

May 2009: The Regional Board adopted four bylaws relating to establishing a service area, authorizing a loan and temporary borrowing and parcel tax commutation for the water system that will provide service to the Upper Fintry, Shalal Road and Valley of the Sun areas.

March 2009: An information letter has been sent to affected property owners regarding the status of the project.

At its regular meeting March 23rd, the Regional Board heard that a successful petition was completed within the proposed service area for the new water distribution system.  The petition received 56% support of the 341 property owners that represent 63% of the total assessment in the Upper Fintry, Shalal Road and Valley of the Sun areas.  With the petition result, the Board gave three readings to bylaws that would establish a new domestic water system service for properties within those areas of the Central Okanagan West Electoral Area.  The Board also approved retaining a consulting engineer to design, tender, project manage and provide as-constructed record drawings.  Engineering staff will apply to the Building Canada Fund – Communities Component for a grant to help offset the estimated $400,000 cost of designing the water system.  Also, the Board approved  retaining a consulting engineer to proceed with well site exploration and development.  Link to Report for Regional Board meeting.  Costs will be recovered through a proposed parcel tax for the proposed service area while individual property owners will be responsible for the costs to connect their homes to the line and for ongoing maintenance and use fees.

On March 19th, a meeting was held for property owners in the proposed service area at the Killiney Beach Community Hall.  They viewed presentation panels outlining additional information regarding the project.  Attendees also learned the Regional District application for a Towns for Tomorrow grant of $400,000 for the project from the BC Government was successful which reduces the estimated cost per parcel to $16,235.

February 2009:  Petitions mailed to property owners within the proposed water service area.  If the project proceeds, we estimate the costs to design and construct the water system at $17,500 per parcel (Estimated Capital Cost Breakdown) and property owners will be given the option of paying for it through their Property Tax requisition amortized over 30 years.  Continued operation and maintenance costs for any water system would be recovered via semi-annual utility bills.  Metered rates would apply only to connected parcels whereas maintenance costs will be a flat fee applicable to all parcels.  Link to Cover Letter  Link to Petition

A Public Meeting was held on Thursday, March 19th at 7:00 pm in Killiney Beach Community Hall to present the results of the petition.

January 2009:  The Regional Board approved submission of an application to the Provincial ' Towns for Tomorrow' program for possible funding to help offset the cost of design and construction of a proposed water system for Upper Fintry and Valley of the Sun, once funding and final community support has been confirmed.  Link to Board Report - January 15, 2009

December 2008: A public information meeting was held on Thursday, December 4th at Killiney Beach for property owners in the Fintry Delta, Upper Fintry and Valley of the Sun subdivision to update them on the status of this project.  A presentation was also provided.  Letters were sent to property owners advising them of the meeting and that information and updates for the project could be found on this webpage. Link to November Letter

The Governance and Services Committee of the Regional Board received a report on this project at its meeting November 13th.  (Link to Report).  As well, the report included a technical memorandum from Summit Environmental Consultants Limited regarding potential groundwater well sites.  Link to June Memorandum.

April 2008 report from the consultant on Preliminary Groundwater Feasibility Assessment.

In January 2008, the consultant completed a study into the La Casa Water Distribution System and options/costs for possible servicing of the Upper Fintry/Valley of the Sun areas.  (Link to January 2008 Study)  The Regional District has requested the consultant proceed with the exploration and feasibility of groundwater source options for any possible future service in the two areas.

Approximately 130 people attended a public meeting (photos) at the Killiney Beach Community Hall on Monday, November 5th, 2007 as staff from the Regional District Engineering Services Department and Agua Consulting Inc. gave a presentation on the findings of the study  into the feasibility of water services for the Upper Fintry and Valley of the Sun areas.  They also addressed any questions or concerns from those in attendance.  As a show of hands from those assembled indicated exceptional community support it's anticipated that with approval from the Regional Board and funding,  the Regional District will proceed with exploring servicing options and any potential availability of a suitable groundwater source/s.  Before any final decision is made whether to proceed with the project, a formal petition of property owners would have to be successful.  Link to letter and map sent to area property owners advising of the public meeting.

In September 2007, a Water Study was completed by Agua Consulting Inc.  The Regional District sent a letter to area residents informing them that the study has been completed and was available for viewing. 

In the spring of 2007, responding to several requests, the Regional District of Central Okanagan began a process to investigate the feasibility of establishing a water service for residents of Upper Fintry and Valley of the Sun.  The Fintry Delta area has been included in the study area because of its proximity to the neighbouring areas.  A consultant was contracted for the study to provide recommendations for the best approach to service existing lots with water. 

• Study Area Map

• Letter to Residents (May 2007)

• March 26 Report to Regional Board

For more information or comment, please contact the Regional District Development and Environmental Services Department at 250-469-6241 or by email at engineer@cord.bc.ca