The days of letting the tap run free of charge are coming to an end for residents of Lake Country.
The District says it’s moving ahead with the widespread installation of water meters.
It will begin with Oyama, followed by Winfield, Carr’s Landing and Okanagan Centre.
Up until now, Lake Country has had no idea how much water its residents were using.
“It’s also an issue of sustainability,” says Lake Country Mayor, James Baker. “If you’re not measuring it, you really don’t know your demand. So it’s a supply and demand thing and we need to know what we have and how much is being used and where.”
The District’s deputy CAO says it’s a revenue neutral program.
“What will happen is, if a residential property is using a lot more than average they would likely pay more than they are today and those using less, would pay less than they are today,” says Stephen Banmen.
Water meters are actually nothing new to some Lake Country residents.
About a third of the municipality, mostly new homes, have had meters for years at no charge — a mock trial and the numbers show they’re working.
“Metering has shown to save 25 to 30 per cent in terms of conservation of water use once people understand that if they leave the tap running, just to let it run, it’s going to cost them,” says Baker.
So far the District of Lake Country has set aside an estimated $1 million on the metering program.
Installation of the meters begins in Oyama next month.
The entire district will have water meters installed by this time next year at no charge to the homeowner. Charging for water use will begin in 2017.
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