The Skaha Estates Water System (previously Skaha Estates Improvement District) has been successfully converted to the RDOS.

Click here to read the Skaha Estates Water System Newsletter - January 2026

Latest Updates:

February 26, 2026 - Update: Vacant Lot Fees – Vintage Views, Lakeshore Water System, and Skaha Estates

Updated March 12, 2026

The Regional District of Okanagan‑Similkameen (RDOS) is providing clarification about vacant lot fees and water and wastewater service availability for three recently acquired systems:

  • Vintage Views Wastewater System
  • Lakeshore Water System
  • Skaha Estates Water System
What’s changing in 2026

For the 2026 calendar year, the RDOS is not charging vacant lot fees for these three systems.

This decision is temporary and reflects a focus on operational and safety priorities during the first half of 2026. During this period, the RDOS is not evaluating or approving new service connections, and as a result, vacant lot fees are not being applied.

Why vacant lot fees were removed for 2026

Vacant lot fees are typically charged when a property has the ability to connect to a service, even if the owner chooses not to connect right away.

For 2026:

  • The RDOS is prioritizing system safety, reliability, and operational readiness.
  • New service connection requests are not being approved or activated during this period.
  • Because the RDOS is not currently able to provide new service connections, vacant lot fees cannot be charged at this time.

This approach also reflects legal guidance to ensure vacant lot fees are applied appropriately and lawfully.

How this applies to each system

Skaha Estates Water System

  • Physical water connections already exist for all lots.
  • The system does have the physical capacity to supply water.
  • However, activating new connections is temporarily paused in 2026 while operational and safety priorities are addressed.
  • This is not a long‑term restriction on service.

Lakeshore Water System

  • Similar to Skaha Estates, the system has the physical ability to provide water.
  • New connections are temporarily deferred in 2026 for the same operational and safety reasons.

Vintage Views Wastewater System

  • The wastewater treatment facility is not currently able to support additional wastewater flows.
  • New wastewater connections cannot be accommodated at this time.
  • Work is underway on future options, and more information is expected to be shared publicly by May 2026.
What this means for property owners
  • No vacant lot fees are being charged for 2026 for these three systems.
  • Any vacant lot fees already paid for 2026 have been reversed.
  • Property owners do not need to take any action to receive a reimbursement.
Reimbursements

If a vacant lot fee was paid for one of these systems:

  • A reimbursement will be issued by cheque.
  • Cheques will be mailed via Canada Post to the mailing address currently on file for the property.
Looking ahead
  • The pause on vacant lot fees is temporary.
  • As operational priorities are completed and service availability is clarified, vacant lot fees are anticipated to resume in 2027 for all three systems.
  • The overall governance and service model for these systems is not changing.

The RDOS will continue to provide updates as timelines and next steps are confirmed.

Questions?