Water Systems
What We Do
The Regional District administers six water distribution systems. These vary in size with the smallest system encompassing eight properties and the largest system encompassing over 700 properties. See table below.
We have links to help you Conserve Water inside and outside your home, learn more about our Outdoor Irrigation Restrictions, check our latest Newsletter and how to contact us if you have any Water Problems. There's also detailed information regarding our Infrastructure Asset Management Program in addition to Annual Reports for our water systems.
Subscribe for Email notification of Water System Alerts/Advisories
News
Stage 2 Outdoor Irrigation Restrictions Reminder
Water customers of the Regional District's six water systems are reminded that Stage 2 Outdoor Irrigation Restrictions are now in effect and last until September 15th, unless other restrictions are in place.
This restricts outdoor irrigation to two days each week, based on a property's address. There are differences in times for irrigation for customers with automated or manual irrigation. Please refer to the Outdoor Irrigation Guidelines for specific information.
Proposed Consumption Threshold Information
Customers connected and receiving water services from any of the six RDCO water utilities will be getting an Information Letter from the Regional District. The letter provides more detailed information and rationale supporting a proposed lowering of the Consumption Threshold from 235 cubic meters to 90 cubic meters per billing quarter. Water use above that 90 cubic meter level would be subject to a 35 cents a cubic meter fee. The proposed change and resulting bylaw amendment will be presented to the Regional Board for consideration at its meeting on June 24th. This information about the proposed change in the Consumption Threshold was outlined in the Spring 2013 Water Talk Newsletter
View Information Letter
Falcon Ridge Water - Water Quality Advisory - Stage 4 Restrictions Lifted
Turbidity levels in the Falcon Ridge water system remain slightly higher than acceptable Canadian Drinking Water Quality Guidelines, so as of Thursday, June 6th the previous Boil Water Notice has been downgraded to a Water Quality Advisory. As a precuation, the Regional District recommends all water for drinking, washing fruit and produce, making beverages and ice or brushing teeth, should be boiled for at least one minute or customers should use a safe alternative. Increased turbidity may impact children, the elderly or those with weakened immune systems.
In addition, a Stage 4 outdoor water prohibition has now been removed for all Falcon Ridge customers, as work on cleaning and rehabilitating the well is complete. View News Release
Sunset Ranch Utilities Ownership Strata Meetings
Environmental Services staff in conjunction with the executive of each of the five strata corporations at Sunset Ranch, are holding Information meetings with each strata to provide members with information related to consideration of the Regional District of Central Okanagan taking over ownership, operation and maintenance of the remaining water and sewer utility assets owned by the strata corporations. RDCO staff are making presentations and answering questions that strata members might have. The stratas have requested the RDCO take over ownership of the utilities to provide a consistency and continuity in service as well as meeting long-term capital replacement requirements.
Significant Savings by Detecting Underground Leaks
A grant from the Okanagan Basin Water Board has helped create some significant operational savings for two aging RDCO water systems. A Leak Detection Program was funded by the grant to identify and repair costly leaks on the Killiney Beach and Westshore water systems. View News Release
Capacity Upgrade Benefits Killiney Beach Water System
January 2013 - A $400,000 BC Towns for Tomorrow program grant has helped provide a major reservoir upgrade and other improvements to the more than 40-year old Killiney Beach Water System. View News Release
The regulations for the management of the water distribution systems and the terms and conditions under which water services may be provided are set out in Consolidated Bylaw 1268. User Fees and Asset Renewal Fees vary according to the number of users and the maintenance required for each particular system. In addition, as of April 1st, 2012 a Consumption based water billing rate is in effect (during a billing quarter, water use over 235 cubic meters will be charged 35 cents per cubic meter). View Rate Structure Information
The bylaws are provided for convenience only and are not to be considered the legal document. Please consult the official version of the bylaws to ensure accuracy.
Emergency Water Contacts
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Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm - 250-469-6241.
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After Hours/Stat Holiday Emergencies Only - 250-868-5299.
Water Customers should direct Billing Inquiries to the Regional District Finance Department at 250-469-6239 or by email.
Water Systems Financial Information
The following links to Financial Information for each water system are being provided for improved communication and transparency. Each document link will open in a new window so that multiple documents can be opened at the same time for comparison.
2012 Information Open Houses
The following sessions were held to outline the new water rate structure and consumption-based billing changes:
June 19th Information Open House and Presentation for North Westside Road
May 17th Information Open House for Sunset Ranch system
May 9th Information Open House for Falcon Ridge system
April 18th Information Open House for Killiney Beach, Westshore and Upper Fintry/Shalal Road/Valley of the Sun systems
April 11th Information Open House for Star Place/Dietrich system
Outdoor Irrigation Restrictions are in place for customers of the six RDCO water systems .
- Link to Outdoor Irrigation Restrictions Information Sheet
- During Stage 1 and 2 restrictions Outdoor Watering is only allowed during the following hours:
- Properties with Automated irrigation may only operate between 12 midnight and 6:00 am on their allocated watering day
- Properties with Manual irrigation may only operate between 6:00 am and 11:00 am and 6:00 pm and 12 midnight on their allocated watering day.
Water Talk Newsletter
Water Conservation Tips
We can all work together in conserving water! Estimates suggest each day Westside residents use almost twice as much water compared with the Canadian average. Please do what you can to protect and preserve our valuable resource.
Living Greener in the Central Okanagan (Television Commercial)
- To view this commercial you will need the free Windows Media Player
RDCO Water Systems (Jan. 2013)
Subscribe for Email notification of Water system Alerts/Advisories
- Water Systems Annual Reports
- Infrastructure Asset Management Financial Plan - February 2012
- Link to 2010 Water System Studies for Falcon Ridge, Killiney Beach and Westshore water utilities.
Customers of the systems above should direct Billing Inquiries to Regional District Finance and Administration Services at 250-469-6290 or by email.
Water Main Flushing Program
Utility Acquisition Policy - (adopted November 2011)
This policy will guide future acquisition of utilities by the Regional District. The policy standardizes the process by which the Regional District will consider taking ownership of any utilities such as private water or waste-water treatment systems and ensures that due diligence is done on behalf of utility customers and regional district ratepayers.
Link to Engineering Water and Sewer Maps
Links to Interior Health Turbidity FAQ's