Summerland WATER

2006-12-05T16:39:00.000-08:00

Water Management and Climate Change in the Okanagan Water Basin is a comprehensive study edited by Stewart Cohen and Tanuja Kulkarni. This study was conducted in conjunction with Environment Canada and the University of British Columbia. The sponsoring agency was the Climate Change Action Fund of Natural Resources Canada.

The Okanagan has been experiencing rapid population growth, many land use changes, and associated stresses on its water resource systems. The authors of this study recognized a need to broaden the dialogue on adaptation to these changes.

The executive summary reads, in part, "This study has two main goals: to identify climate change impacts and possible adaptation strategies for the Okanagan region AND to test an approach for engaging resource managers and regional stakeholders as collaborators in research and dialogue on climate change impacts and adaptation."

This study offers a wealth of information, including population figures, climate observations, hydrological data, and focus group results.

Water Demand in the Okanagan Water Basin

2006-12-04T20:21:00.000-08:00

A 2005 thesis paper entitled Impacts of Climate Change and Population Growth on Water Demand in the Okanagan Water Basin provides an excellent read of current and projected supply versus demand water scenarios. This paper suggests that, " in the absence of additional demand management or changes in housing densities, the region can expect, at a minimum, a doubling of water demand by 2069." Further, the author projects that, "in cases where future demand was compared to licensed supply, scenarios with medium or high population growth, current preferences in housing, and current demand management regimes, exceeded licensed supplies in the 2050's, indicating a need for reduced demand or increased allocations in the future."

Comparisons, case studies and cost analysis are given for cities and towns up and down the valley. Best and worst case scenarios, summaries of water savings options, and currrent trend versus Smart Growth comparisons are explored.

This paper is well worth reading and offers compelling research and reason to re-examine our current water practices.

Climate Change Study by World Wildlife Fund

2006-12-04T20:07:00.000-08:00

A recent study by the World Wildlife Fund reviewed the likely impacts of a two degree global increase in temperature. The study warns that, "although Canada has extensive water resources, even a moderate amount of climate change will impact water flows in the Great Lakes and the Athabasca River enough to reduce hydro-electricity production in Ontario and oil sands development in Alberta."

Read a summary of the the study at ctv.ca.

Water Supply and Public Private Partnerships

2006-12-02T20:33:00.000-08:00

There is an increase in what is commonly referred to as "P3's" or Public Private Partnerships in the water supply and management in Canadian Municipalities. This increased involvemtent has not been without controversy. On the one hand, these partnerships offer much needed financing opportunities. Opponents contend there is often a loss of accountability, service and environmental quality.

A UBC briefing note by Karen Bakker offers a concise summary of the forms of private sector involvement in Canadian water supply utilities and outlines some key issues for Canadians to consider.

Her report is entitled, Canada and the New American Empire, Water Supply Privatization
The bibliography refers to many useful links and further publications exploring this issue, such as the National Guide to Sutainable Municipal Infrastructure.

Salmon Arm Water Group Makes Presentation

2006-11-30T09:59:00.000-08:00

A presentation was made to Salmon Arm Municipal Council urging caution against private / public partnerships when dealing with their water utility. An exerpt from the article in the Salmon Arm Observer follows:

"....Ray Morris, speaking on behalf of Kairos, a national coalition of churches and religious organizations that includes local members of the Anglican, Lutheran, Roman Catholic and United churches, brought this message to Salmon Arm council's Nov. 14 meeting. Joining him was Kairos co-chair Mavourneen Reddecliff and spokesperson for the Catholic organization Development & Peace, Teresa McKerral.

Morris urged council to endorse a water declaration that has been supported by 185 Canadian municipalities.

It states: 1) Water is a sacred gift that connects all life; 2) Access to clean water is a basic human right; 3) The value of the Earth's fresh water to the common good takes priority over any possible commercial value; and 4) Fresh water is a shared legacy, a public trust and a collective responsibility.
He noted that the World Bank has usually made privatization a condition of its loans for water services, with strongly negative effects on local populations.

In Canada, he said the most dramatic example of privatization took place in Hamilton, Ont. In 1995, when city council turned its waterworks and sewage treatment operations over to a respected local waste management company. Within a year, half the city's water workers were laid off, he said. The following January, a huge sewage spill flooded 115 homes and businesses and sent 48 million gallons of untreated human waste into the harbour and then into Lake Ontario.

"Ownership of the water company changed hands five times in the first eight years," Morris stated, "and the city is understandably eager to get out of the 20-year contract it signed."
Morris spoke of several other national and international examples.

Morris asked that, at a time when Salmon Arm is going to upgrade its water treatment facilities, "we would urge you very strongly not to consider any form of public-private partnership as a way of raising the necessary capital or keeping the running expenses under control." ...."

Read the full article here...

Water Study Underway

2006-11-27T14:02:00.000-08:00

The Okanagan Basin Water Board is in the midst of a $550, 000 Water Supply and Demand Study. The Board has issued a press release regarding this project. The expected completion date is 2008. To me, the findings of this supply and demand study are imperative to Summerland's decision whether or not to pursue an Okanagan Lake source solution to our water supply problems.

The Okanagan Water Stewardship Council is the "think tank" convened by the Okanagan Water Basin Board. Their 2006-07 Work Plan outlines this group's understanding of the water situation in the Okanagan, how it impacts the politics, economy, lifestyle and livability of all residents and a set of proposed topics to cover in discussion. The Council has outlined that "the goal of each discussion should be to share information and highlight potential areas of conflict that need resolution; as well as to identify existing knowledge gaps and feasible actions to move forward".

Convening for Action in the South Okanagan

2006-11-24T22:29:00.000-08:00

The RDOS has identified the availability and quality of water as the number one concern of South Okanagan residents. The Water Sustainability Committee of the BC Water and Waste Association initiated a program entitled, Convening for Action in the South Okanagan. This program played a role in bringing together people with knowledge and expertise with those who seek ways to meet present and future water sustainablity challenges in their communities. The purpose of this initiative was to deliver a process where everyone had a chance to speak, see their opinions recorded and be proactively engaged to focus on results. This initiative took place in February 2005 in collaboration with the Town of Oliver.
The Report entitled Moving Towards a Water Balance Way of Thinking and Acting in the South Okanagan is available here...

Grants for Citizen Action on Water

2006-11-23T21:23:00.000-08:00

The Walter & Duncan Gordon Foundation, a Canadian registered charitable foundation, has initiated a Fresh Water Resources Protection Programme, including grant funding for eligible projects. This Foundation, dedicated "to the development of sound and innovative public policies, has put in place a grant program to support the development of a comprehensive legal, regulatory, and citizen action framework for the purpose of protecting the quality and quantity of fresh water resources for future generations of Canadians. "
The funding they provide through the Fresh Water Resources Protection programme has 3 objectives: Sustainable Watershed Governance, Groundwater Conservation and Transboundary Water Security.
This initiative is worth further investigation by dedicated groups and individuals across Canada.

Two Documents at Sidebar

2006-11-22T23:25:00.000-08:00

There are two more documents which are important to any discussion on water in Summerland, the Trout Creek Water Use Agreement and the 2005 Value Engineering Report on possible Water System Upgrades in Summerland. Summerland is finding itself at a point where ANY new development and population growth necessitates additional water as we are currently fully allotted. The critical questions are where will this additional water come from and how will it be paid for. And there is, of course, the reality that all water sources are actually very interconnected. While Okanagan Lake or groundwater may be treated as a separate water source, both are ultimately fed by rain, snow and surface water sources. Declines in one area affect all others.
Research is currently being conducted to address the entire Okanagan Basin as one very interdependent region.

UBC Professor to speak in Naramata

2006-11-22T23:00:00.000-08:00

Naramata has experienced it's own fair share of water woes in the past. The Naramata Conservation Initiative will be hosting an informative presentation entitled Adapting to Change - Improving Water Management in the Okanagan.

Water management is a major issue in Naramata and other Okanagan communities. Population growth, land use intensification and climate change are increasingly putting pressure on the water resources. To continue to do business as usual will put us on a collision course. Adaptation is the key and this involves conservation, source water protection, and improving the efficiency on how we use water in the urban and rural environments.
Hans Schreier is a professor at the Institute for Resources and Environment, at the University of British Columbia. He has won international awards for his work in water management and he will be giving a presention outlining not only the problems, but also providing practical ideas on what can be done to minimize the urban impact by innovative storm water management, reducing impervious surfaces and effectivewater conservation.

Where & When: Monday, December 11, at 7.00 pm, at the Loft
Naramata Centre (3rd Street)._

Water-Our Limiting Resource

2006-11-20T16:48:00.000-08:00

A conference was held in Kelowna in February of 2005 with an objective of investigating a sustainable approach to Water Management in the Okanagan. This conference was hosted by the B.C. Branch of the Canadian Water Resources Association. Discussions were held over three days, with the summary report available to read.
Among discussion topics was the reality that water resources in the Okanagan Basin are now heavily alloted. In 1974 an extensive study of the Okanagan Water Basin entitled, Main Report of the Consultative Board, was commissioned and out of this report came eleven main recommendations focused on sustainable water management for our valley. Now 31 years later only a few recommendations have been acted on.

How can we begin to change this?

Temperature Rising

2006-11-20T15:14:00.000-08:00

The Ministry of Natural Resources Canada has found evidence of climate change effects on the hydrology of streams in south-central B. C. A summary of this information and commentary can be found at their website with the by-line, "Low Water Blues".

Local Climate Change impacts

2006-11-20T12:41:00.000-08:00

The Tyee ran several articles on climate change impacts, including "Drying Up in the Okanagan" by Chris Wood. This article was just one in a series called, "Rough Weather Ahead" by Chris Wood covering what British Columbians can expect from global warming. This project was funded by a Tyee Investigative Reporting Fellowship. Chris Wood refers to the Okanagan as the canary in the coal mine for BC and water. Local policy makers and indeed, all residents, need to start thinking and behaving in ways that acknowledge and address this new reality.

Local Research on Climate Change

2006-11-19T17:22:00.000-08:00

How Climate Change will eventually affect our region is already a topic of interest and concern among professionals. This report by scientists at our very own Pacific Agri-Food Research Station investigates how the climate changes expected over the next seventy five years will affect agriculture and water availability in our Okanagan Valley. There are also interesting figures relating to the water allotments and consumptions from Vernon to Osoyoos. I found the conclusions drawn on pages 27 and 30 to be of particular concern. The authors project that, "For most irrigation purveyors, licensed allocation may be insufficient to accomodate climate change impacts through to the 2080's." This report is a must read.

Summerland and Water

2006-11-19T16:18:00.000-08:00

It seems to me that the issue of WATER continues to be of utmost importance when people talk about growth or development in Summerland. This topic deserves further investigation and maybe some thoughtful discussion and this is what this blog is all about.

Currently there are two separate parcel taxes which will be taking effect over the next year or two in Summerland, and both of these pertain to our water system. As a community, we are also in the midst of a Dam Expansion Project and our Council is considering a second source of water from Okanagan Lake. A feasability study has just been contracted for this.

System separation, ground water utilization, a second treatment plant...... the list goes on and on.

And this doesn't even begin to address how Summerland fits into the bigger picture of the Okanagan Water Basin.

How Climate change will affect the valley's water sources is another factor to consider.

These topics will be the focus of this blog. Watch for information from a variety of sources and lots of food for thought.