Project Overview

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The Province of British Columbia Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affairs has initiated a $50 million pilot program. The program includes a fully funded, automated water meter installation and a research component to identify the value to communities. The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) is participating in the pilot program to provide data and develop strategies to aid other communities interested in implementing automated metering plans.

Faulder, Willowbrook, and Olalla are among 19 small, rural and First Nations communities selected to participate based on the specific criteria for the pilot program. The RDOS will receive approximately $2.05 million for the pilot project, with installation anticipated to begin by late summer 2025. The deadline to complete the installation phase of the project is March 2027.

Key benefits of universal metering include:

• Tracking leaks to identify losses to the water system
• Aiding residents in managing their water use, leading to potential savings on utility bills
• Helping to identify the effectiveness of water restrictions during periods of concern
• Reducing the operational costs of the water system

To provide residents with an adjustment period before the program begins, there will be a mock-billing period of 12 months. Mock-billing helps residents understand what their rates would be under the new system.

Information meetings will be scheduled in each of the participating communities before construction begins. Project details and meeting dates will published on RDOS web and social media channels.