Liquid Waste Management Plan

Liquid Waste Management Plan (LWMP) - Project

April, 2024 Update

Update on the Liquid Waste Management Plan is now available for review. You can find the information below or by downloading the PDF Document. The information can also be found beginning on page 5 in the 2024 Citizen Bulletin.

Once you have a chance to review the information please take a few minutes to fill out the short survey.

November 7, 2023

Liquid Waste Management Plan Update and Financial Strategy:

Ehren Lee & Joel Short from Urban Systems presented to Council an update on the Liquid Waste Management Plan along with proposed financial strategy to move the project forward once the Province approves the Environmental Assessment process. You can watch the presentation online.

November 15, 2022

February, 2022 The Okanagan Indian Band, District of Lake Country and City of Kelowna announced agreement on a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that will pave the way toward building important health, safety and infrastructure improvements, including completion of the Okanagan Rail Trail.

On November 14th Kelowna City Council heard from staff on accepting Lake Country septage for up to ten years. The agreement between the District of Lake Country and the City of Kelowna will allow additional time for the District to complete the Liquid Waste Management Plan (LWMP) that will determine a permanent long-term solution to support our growing community. The rate structure has not yet been determined for Lake Country properties, as a result of the agreement with the City of Kelowna.

For more information on the challenges and solutions regarding Liquid Waste please take a few minutes to read through this project page.

November 15 - Castanet article

November 14 - Kelowna Daily Courier article

August 30, 2022

The District of Lake Country submitted the updated Stage 1-2 Report to the Province. Documents can be found under the Stage 1/2 Report - Submissions to the Province tab on this page.

June, 2022 Update

The Environmental Impact Study (EIS) was submitted to the Province on December 17, 2021. The Province provided a response on March 1, 2022. The project team is working to address comments provided by the Province and will determine the revised timelines shortly.

September 9, 2021 Update

The Stage 1/2 report was submitted to the Province - you can now read the report. The project team anticipates receiving comments from the Province in the coming months.

Check out the results of the survey - click on the June 22nd presentation given to the Advisory Committee or the June 15th presentation given to the Steering Committee. Both presentations give a summary of the 254 surveys received.

Survey has been closed (June 8th) thank you to the 254 community members who took the time to fill out the survey. The four winners randomly selected will receive a $100 Lake Country Home Hardware Gift Certificates are:

• Liz Ellison
• Jim MacMaster
• Linda Smith
• Donna Schreyer

Congratulations!

Liquid Waste Management in Lake Country:

Have you ever given much thought to what happens after you flush the toilet? Pour something down the sink? Where does all of it go? Who deals with it? To help explain the process check out “What Happens When You Flush – Poop 101.”

Liquid waste in the District of Lake Country is managed through a Liquid Waste Management Plan (LWMP) that received Provincial approval in 1998. Storm water, septic systems, sewer collection and treatment are all addressed in a Liquid Waste Management Plan. As Lake Country grows, we need to continue to implement good solutions to serve an expanding population, care for the environment and protect public health.

Why do we need this project?

It's no secret that the District of Lake Country is one of the fastest growing communities in the Province. As new homes are added to the sewer system, capacity of the system becomes less and less, including the capacity of the ground to accept cleaned water. With 3,500 properties on the sewer system, the District is near maximum capacity and our soils will no longer be able to keep up with incoming flows. This means it's necessary to secure another option - soon!

Has work already been done to find a solution?

Over the last decade the District has been working on updating our Liquid Waste Management Plan. The District has undertaken numerous engineering and environmental studies and evaluations, in order to meet Provincial requirements. Now, as ground discharge is nearing maximum capacity, the District is looking for ministry approval for an alternate discharge option. Options that have been analyzed will be presented to the community in the coming weeks.

What are the timelines?

What's next?

This is where we need you - the community to get involved! Here's how:

1. Ask Questions:

• Take a look at the video "What Happens When You Flush - Poop 101", FAQ's and important dates. This page will be updated regularly so come back often. if you have questions or would like more detail on any part of the LWMP please ask below.

2. Apply to be on the LWMP Public Advisory Committee:

• As part of the LWMP the District will be putting together a public advisory committee. If you are interested in being part of the committee or finding out more information about the committee email Ruth Sulentich rsulentich@lakecountry.bc.ca. Applications will be accepted until April 1st.

3. Fill in the Survey:

• Your opinion matters - fill in the survey by June 8th, survey can be found below.