It is a standing policy of the Regional District Board that “essential services are best provided by government, where citizens can elect representatives interested in their well-being and will operate the service in the most effective and efficient manner possible.”

Further, “potable water and sanitary sewerage systems are determined to be essential to a high quality of life …” yet, many of the private water and sewer systems within the Regional District struggle “to meet environmental and public health standards … and do not meet increasing minimum provincial regulation or standard municipal design.”

It has been the Regional District’s experience that “system owners often find that they no longer have the financial ability or technical expertise required to meet current regulation”.

In support of this, and under the South Okanagan Sub-Regional Growth Strategy Bylaw, the Regional District has committed to “encourage publically operated utilities and discourage the establishment of private utilities and services.”

This is further reflected in the various electoral area official community plan (OCP) bylaws, which generally speak to discouraging the development of private systems for the provision of water and sewer services.

For these reasons, there is seen to be a strong argument for the Board to regulate, going forward, in favour of publicly operated utility systems versus those operated by business or strata corporations or other private water or sewer utilities.

An engagement plan related to the proposed bylaw amendments is still being finalized. 

Please check back soon.

planning@rdos.bc.ca