The information slides presented by the Skaha Estates Improvement District on March 18, 2025, have been uploaded to the project page below under the Important Documents section.
The presentations from the public meeting on February 19, 2025, have been uploaded to the project page below under the Important Documents section.
Project Background
The Skaha Estates Improvement District (SEID) is located approximately 3 kilometres north of Okanagan Falls and 15.4 km south of Penticton, on Eastside Road and spans an area of approximately 95 hectares. The SEID water system provides services to 185 lots of which 159 properties are active.
The potable water system is experiencing challenges with aging infrastructure, replacement costs, and the potential of significant capital upgrades being necessary in the near future. The SEID has initiated a discussion with the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) to acquire the SEID system, making it eligible for grant funding. On behalf of SEID, the RDOS retained the services of TRUE Consulting (TRUE) to prepare a system assessment for the potable water system in support of the RDOS Utility Acquisition Policy.
FAQ
- What ability does the SEID board have to assess fees or levies in the event that the system needs additional financial resources to maintain proper operations of the SEID system?
- Will residents be able to pay out lump sums as capital projects are completed, thus reducing their annual bill?
- When the RDOS applies for water infrastructure grants, does the application include multiple components of a water system, such as the SEID? For example, does it cover intake, pipe upgrades, electrical upgrades, and the Water Treatment Plant?
- If the RDOS were to take over the SEID water system, would the capital improvement costs be added to our property taxes? This would be beneficial for many of us who participate in the BC property tax deferral program.
- Has the RDOS experienced a situation where a district of ratepayers is denied fire insurance coverage because of the low pressure of the water at the hydrants? From my queries, an insurance company is not allowed to deny fire insurance based on low hydran
- If the RDOS takes over the water system for Skaha Estates, what will the annual user fees be?
- What role would water meters play in this project and what would it cost me for having one installed?
- How much would the RDOS be charging per litre of water used?
- How much is the base rate, not counting the metered amount of water?
- Approximately how much would a resident have to pay per year for the system upgrades over the next 30 years?
- How much in total will the Skaha Estates water system cost the property owners?
- Is there a caveat that all assets transferred over to the RDOS be for the sole use of the residents of Skaha Estates and that the park will not be publicized in any public disclosures as a RDOS regional park; and if not, will the RDOS be receptive to this
- Will we be going through the Assent Voting process like Lakeshore did and Sage Mesa will be. SEID says not. When dealing with the sewer proposal, the RDOS indicated that we would have to go through a Referendum process where renters have a right to vote,
- Is the loan considered to be a mortgage? If so, can payments be made weekly? Weekly payments vastly reduce the time required to repay the loan and thus reduce the total amount of interest paid.
- If the assent of voters is received by SEID, what do the next steps look like?
- If assent of voters is not received, what happens?
- If the RDOS assumes ownership of the system, when would residents see a tax increase due to system upgrade costs?
- The loan authorization amount is very high and residents are concerned. What is being done to control costs?
- How do provincial grants factor in?