MLA pushing province to intervene in Lake Okanagan Resort water problems

It has been more than two years since the McDougall Creek Wildfire destroyed Lake Okanagan Resort and a local MLA is pushing for the province to finally restore its potable water.

West Kelowna-Peachland MLA Macklin McCall sent a formal request to Premier David Eby to use the Emergency Disaster Management Act to restore essential water utility service at the resort, according to a press release from the BC Conservative Party issued today, March 11.

“After more than two years, property owners remain in a state of limbo because there is no reliable potable water service,” McCall said in the release. “Potable water is required so that we can get shovels in the ground. Until the taps are turned on, building permits can’t be issued, construction cannot start, and residents can’t return home.”

The resort’s water utility depended on a wall on privately owned land and the owner has yet to start the process to fix the system.

Since there’s no water, homeowners and stratas can’t start to rebuild, so they’re stuck waiting for an owner who hasn’t started repairs.

McCall said that there are around 150 units that are unable to be rebuilt because of the lack of water.

McCall’s letter said that the Emergency Disaster Management Act gives the province the ability to force the owner to fix the water system, or go in and fix it if the owner doesn’t comply.

He wants the province to mandate cooperation from the owner with the Regional District of Central Okanangan, Interior Health and BC Hydro as well as ensure the system is rebuilt quickly.

“After the fire, the Premier promised action, instead, he has hung residents out to dry,” McCall said. “The EDMA (Emergency Disaster Management Act) provides the tools, the authority, and the mechanism to act. Action is needed now to ensure public health and safety so that this community can rebuild.”