Water Conservation and Quality Improvement Grants – 2010 Successful Recipients
District of Coldstream
Coldstream Creek Water Quality Enhancement
Using recently completed Sensitive Habitat Inventory Mapping data, the District of Coldstream has identified two high priority areas for stream restoration efforts. The grant will help fund enhancement activities including livestock exclusion fencing, replanting of riparian areas, dedicated livestock crossings, and bank re-grading. This project demonstrates strong collaboration between stakeholders and landowners and is building on results and recommendations from previous OBWB-funded projects.
Regional District North Okanagan – Greater Vernon Water
Bacterial Source Tracking – Kalamalka Lake Intake
Higher than expected bacterial counts have been repeatedly found at both Kalamalka Lake water intakes. Greater Vernon Water (RDNO) is completing bacterial source tracking at each of the intakes. Samples taken at intakes will be sent to a lab in Victoria to identify probable sources of fecal pollution. Identifying the source of contamination will allow for more targeted control programs (i.e. dog area restrictions or goose management) and allow for increased source water protection. A similar study was completed for Coldstream Creek in 2009, which will allow for meaningful comparison and coordinated water quality improvement work on the Kalamalka tributaries.
City of Armstrong
Water Source Assessment & Protection Plan
The City of Armstrong is completing a Source Protection Plan for the Fortune Creek Watershed, which supplies water to the City of Armstrong and six water districts within the Township of Spallumcheen. In addition to a Source to Tap Assessment, the City will also review the status of licenses on Fortune Creek in an effort to better understand current demand and available supply. The Interior Health Authority requires Source to Tap Assessments on drinking water sources and the OBWB has identified source water protection as a priority in the Okanagan.
Central Okanagan Regional District
Okanagan Xeriscape Association (OXA)
Fostering a New Social Norm for Low Water Landscaping in the Okanagan
The Okanagan Xeriscape Association will use grant funds to complete a number of targeted initiatives throughout the Okanagan Valley as a means to change public perception of xeriscaped landscapes and reduce outdoor residential water use. OXA will work with nurseries to ensure drought tolerant plants are available for customers. Completion of the xeriscape demonstration garden will enhance public education efforts, increase the association’s visibility and brand recognition in the valley, and work towards changing perceptions.
Lake Country Environmental Society and Osoyoos Lake Water Quality Society
Creating a Watershed Report Card Template
Both the Lake Country Environmental Society and the Osoyoos Lake Water Quality Society are working to create a uniform template that will assess a variety of indicators for overall watershed health. This collaboration will create a robust, useable template for watersheds throughout the Okanagan. Similar “report cards” have proved useful tools for action prioritization and communication in other jurisdictions, especially in Ontario, but this is the first effort of its kind in the Okanagan.
Okanagan Regional Goose Management Committee
Goose Management Plan for 2010
The Okanagan Regional Goose Management Committee (ORGMC) is a valley-wide collaboration of local governments and other partners concerned about decreased water quality as a result of resident Canadian Geese populations. Grant funds will be used for aerial nest and population surveys that guide the egg addling program and for a public outreach and education campaign. The high degree of collaboration within ORGMC and the public and outreach components fit nicely with the priorities of the grant program.
Regional District Central Okanagan (RDCO)
Joe Rich Creek Watershed Improvements
The Regional District Central Okanagan is building on the previously completed stream restoration work on Joe Rich Creek in collaboration with land owners along an unaddressed stretch of creek with reduced water quality. This project is a strong collaboration with the Farmland Riparian Interface Stewardship Program (FRISP), the Environmental Farm Plan (EFP), and landowners, and has met with strong support and success in the past. It is a good example of the type of on-the-ground, tangible water quality projects that the OBWB funds.
District of West Kelowna
Field Trial of Powdered Limestone Sediment Capping
The District of West Kelowna is applying a cap of crushed limestone to a small, remote portion of the Westside Cays (a man-made canal) as a trial to improve water quality in reservoirs with high nutrient concentrations. Water quality and other parameters will be closely monitored over the length of the trial with routine reporting to interested agencies. A number of water suppliers have expressed interest in this project and hope that the outcomes can be applied in locations where they experience water quality issues. The OBWB supports water science and innovative projects.
Okanagan Collaborative Conservation Program (OCCP)
Okanagan Lake Foreshore Inventory Mapping (FIM) Compilation and Aquatic Habitat Index
The OCCP is compiling all FIM data, geo-referenced shoreline video, and GIS files into one accessible database for Okanagan Lake. The creation of an Aquatic Habitat Index that portrays shoreline attributes in simple terms that rank habitat sensitivities will be used by planners and developers to help direct foreshore development towards less environmentally-sensitive areas.
City of Kelowna
Drinking Water Source Protection Plan
The City of Kelowna is using components of the Source to Tap Assessment for Okanagan Lake to develop a drinking water protection plan for the lake itself. Additional data collection under the project will include limnological studies and a review of water chemistry information for the lake. The results of the project will benefit all communities with large lake intakes. The Interior Health Authority requires Source to Tap Assessments on drinking water sources, and the OBWB has identified source water protection as a priority in the Okanagan.
City of Kelowna
Irrigation Systems Assessment and Strategy for Parks
City of Kelowna is reviewing irrigation systems for their municipal parks to assess system condition and efficiency. Other aspects of the project include assessing the potential for upgrading weather sensor technologies in parks irrigation systems. Outdoor irrigation is the largest domestic water use and is commonly indicated as a sector that could be more efficient; as City of Kelowna’s parks are very visible to the public, efficient irrigation will help set an example for other users and residential customers.
City of Kelowna
Grey Water Recycling Feasibility
The City of Kelowna will examine the scope of infrastructure upgrades that would be required for grey water recycling within the municipality. Of consideration would be a risk and cost-benefit analysis of implementation of grey water recycling. The information gathered in this study will benefit other communities interested in grey water recycling, and aligns well with the goals set out in BC’s Living Water Smart Plan.
Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen Osoyoos Lake Water Quality Society and Lake Country Environmental Society
Creating a Watershed Report Card Template
Both the Lake Country Environmental Society and the Osoyoos Lake Water Quality Society are working to create a uniform template that will assess a variety of indicators for overall watershed health. This collaboration will create a robust, useable template for watersheds throughout the Okanagan. Similar “report cards” have proved useful tools for action prioritization and communication in other jurisdictions, especially in Ontario, but this is the first effort of its kind in the Okanagan.
City of Penticton
Environmental Audit Pilot Project – P3 Partnership
In collaboration with two other utility corporations, the City of Penticton will expand its water audit template to include industrial, commercial, and institutional customers to use in a water, waste, and energy audit program. By having three utilities simultaneously review their consumption, customers will likely view the program as more efficient than single audits, increasing the likelihood of both participating in an audit and following up with conservation measures.
West Bench Irrigation District
Large Lot Xeriscape Manual
The West Bench Irrigation District will compile best management practices and resources that address reducing erosion of soil and outdoor water consumption for owners of large residential lots. A hard copy of this manual will be printed for all West Bench Irrigation District customers as an educational resource. They will work with the Okanagan Xeriscape Association (OXA) during this project to explore how the information and resources can be shared throughout the valley, making them available digitally through the OXA website.
Aquifer Vulnerability Mapping
Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen
The Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen will collect well and aquifer data on identified groundwater sources throughout RDOS. An aquifer vulnerability index will be used to assess the sensitivity of each aquifer inventoried and the results will be compiled within the RDOS GIS systems. The results will be used to prepare an aquifer protection plan that will include sample bylaws.
Drinking Water Source Protection Plan
Okanagan Falls Irrigation District
The Okanagan Falls Irrigation District will use the Source to Tap Assessment guide to create a source protection plan for their groundwater sources. Project components will include delineation of well capture zones, potential contaminant source inventory, risk characterization and development of an implementation plan. In addition, this project will explore the opportunity to put a currently unused well in place as an observation well, increasing the network of observation wells in the South Okanagan. The Interior Health Authority requires Source to Tap Assessments on drinking water sources and the OBWB has identified source water protection as a priority in the Okanagan.