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Upgrades coming for Penticton reservoir

Penticton and Naramata are benefiting from a joint provincial-federal clean water fund
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The City of Penticton was awarded a grant from the Clean Water and Wastewater fund to enlarge the Carmi Reservoir to meet the city’s water supply needs. File photo

Penticton has received a $1.2 million grant to upgrade the size and capacity of the Carmi reservoir.

The current water distribution system lacks storage capacity needed to meet city bylaws, relying on surplus pumping potential to make up the difference, prompting the city to apply for the grant last year from the Clean Water and Wastewater Fund.

The fund, a partnership between the B.C. and federal governments, will cover up to 83 per cent of the estimated $1.5 million cost to the project, which will enlarge the Carmi Reservoir to 1,300 cubic meters from the current 1,140 cubic meter storage volume.

The Carmi upgrade qualified for the maximum amount available under the program and will receive $1,174,450. Construction is expected to get under way by the beginning of June with completion slated for March of 2018.

The increased is expected to fully address the current storage deficiency and enhance fire protection for the entire service area. Mayor Andrew Jakubeit said the upgrade will also support planned further growth in the Columbia Heights area.

Naramata is also receiving $3,680,802 from the fund to upgrade the area’s water system.

The Clean Water and Wastewater Fund supports long-term benefits in rehabilitating drinking water, wastewater and stormwater systems, as well as planning and designing future facilities and upgrades to existing wastewater systems. The fund is providing about $310 million to 144 projects throughout the province.

“The upgrades to the Naramata Water System and the Carmi Reservoir are significant investments in important infrastructure for community members. Improvements such as this are vital to the health of communities in rural B.C. and also help encourage community growth,” said Penticton MLA Dan Ashton.