Cost of city’s South East Kelowna Irrigation district takeover jumps $22 million

KELOWNA – The cost for the City of Kelowna taking over the South East Kelowna Irrigation District is going to be $22 million more than expected.

Councillors will hear Monday, May 14, of the increase, which the city’s infrastructure director Alan Newcombe said in a press release will push the cost of the project to $86 million.

Newcombe blamed the increased cost on the high volume of infrastructure projects currently underway across the province plus increased service demand in South East Kelowna itself.

If approved by council, the budget amendment will let the city finance the $15.3 million portion of the cost that is to be borne by South East Kelowna ratepayers while the $6 million portion from the City of Kelowna will come from reserves

The bulk of the cost is covered by a $44 million grant from the federal and provincial governments.

Kelowna council declared clean drinking water as a top priority in 2015 but was rebuffed in its attempts to take over all the irrigation districts within the city’s boundaries.

If approved, construction on the new residential water delivery system will begin in July. The irrigation district is scheduled to be dissolved at the end of May, the press release says.

Councillors will consider the budget amendment at the public council meeting, Monday, May 14, 2018 at 1:30 p.m. in Kelowna city hall.

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