As of September 29, 2025, these utilities are now managed by the RDOS. This ensures long-term service stability for the community. However, the systems were transferred without operating or capital reserve funds, so the RDOS must cover essential costs such as monitoring, regulatory compliance, emergency response, and routine maintenance.

The RDOS recognizes the challenges for property owners eager to build but facing servicing limitations. Staff are committed to transparent, responsible management and will work toward long-term improvements as funding becomes available.

The RDOS will be collecting the 4th quarter billing. With the Canada Post strike, bills are anticipated to be sent out by email the first week of November, with a due date of December 12, 2025.

Moving into 2026, you will receive invoices quarterly beginning in February from the RDOS. Payment options will be included with the invoices. If you do not have an email registered with the RDOS, an invoice will likely be mailed now that mail is starting to move again. If you have questions regarding your billing method or wish to change how it will be sent to you, please contact the Finance Utility Billing Clerk, Debbie Clarke, at 250-490-4388.

The boil water notice will remain in place until some of the upgrades can be completed. At this time, the RDOS does not have a timeframe for when the boil water order may be lifted.

The RDOS is in the planning stage and will be drafting a schedule of activities related to next steps with both the Lakeshore Water System and Vintage Views Sewer System. Once that is complete, we will have a better understanding of associated timelines. Part of that effort will entail the review of the priorities identified in the Assessment Reports, break them down and identify the level of effort associated with them.

At this time, we are not able to identify when the PPO will be lifted and building permits allowed. The RDOS recognizes the importance of this issue and will work as expeditiously as possible while remaining fiscally responsible.

The RDOS is currently seeking grant opportunities and will continue to do so throughout the duration of our efforts.

We are happy to answer your questions as best we can. The RDOS will continue to share information about the process and project when it is available. Please keep checking the Regional Connections project page for updates and details.

Utility fees apply to all lot owners because foundational activities—like system monitoring and planning—benefit every property, even if it’s not yet developed. These services maintain system integrity and enable future development opportunities.

For the period of September 29 – December 31, 2025, vacant lots will pay one-third of the quarterly sewer rate compared to developed lots. This reduced rate reflects that while the lot isn’t connected, it still benefits from system oversight and planning.

For vacant land, the water rates for Lakeshore Waterworks System will be $210.00 for the quarterly bill period September 29 to December 31, 2025.

For vacant land, the sewer rates for Vintage Views Wastewater System will be $275.00 for the quarterly bill period September 29 to December 31, 2025.

These rates will be reflected on your billing from the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen.

Thank you for your question. According to the Lakeshore Waterworks Assessment report, only a portion of properties currently have water meters installed, and it is unclear whether those meters are operational. As part of planned system upgrades, a water meter installation project has been identified. Once this project is complete, water billing will be based on actual household consumption. Until then, a flat-rate fee will apply to all households regardless of individual usage.

Yes, residents are advised to check all tax decisions for themselves. However, the province has confirmed that if eligibility conditions are met for property tax deferral, parcel taxes would be included if the taxpayer enrolls in the program.

Each Service Area would have two annual costs that are billed to a parcel owner.

User Fee: Cost of service usage (operational costs) User fee is a high-level estimate

Parcel Tax: Debt servicing costs (funding of capital upgrades) Estimated using 30-year amortization at 4.87%

Lakeshore Waterworks

The estimated cost of the capital upgrades: $13,530,000.

Number of parcels in the Service Area: 321

The estimated annual User Fee: $1,200 - $1,500

Annual Parcel Tax: $2,863

Estimated Annual User Total: $4,063 - $4,363

Vintage Views Sewer

The estimated cost of the capital upgrades: $6,962,000.

Number of parcels in the Service Area: 110

The estimated annual User Fee: $2,640 - $2,880

Annual Parcel Tax: $4,309

Estimated Annual User Total: $6,949 - $7,189

Please note the following:

• The above identified costs are based on estimated maximums and only the amount necessary will be borrowed.
• Upon receipt of the assent vote, the RDOS will explore lump sum payment options for the parcel tax component once true costs are established.

Upon completion of all identified upgrade projects, the following are estimated costs:

Lakeshore
Approximately $2,900 per parcel per year for capital costs.
Approximately $1,200 - $1,500 per parcel per year user fee.

Vintage Views
Approximately $4,300 per parcel per year for capital costs.
Approximately $2,640 - $2,680 per parcel per year user fee.

Transfer of system assets, rights of ways, and water licenses would commence in mid 2025.

The system would remain with the private owners and the acquisition process would stop.

There would be a gradual increase in property taxes as the system is upgraded.

If your property is within the service area as defined by the map attached to the service establishment bylaw and you meet the qualifications as an elector, you will be able to vote in the assent process for the utility/utilities that your property is within. If the assent vote(s) is in the affirmative, all parcels within the service area will be responsible for costs associated with capital upgrades. However, operational costs are covered under the fees and charges bylaw, so you would only pay based on your connection and use.

As outlined in the Local Government Act, one of the qualifications as either a resident elector or a non-resident property elector is to be a resident of BC for the last six months. If you currently reside outside of BC, you are not eligible to vote.

Residents are encouraged to sign up for Voyent Alert! to receive notifications. Information is also available to the public on RDOS Regional Connections.

All qualified electors are entitled to vote. The same qualifications for general local elections apply to assent voting opportunities.

The amounts in the bylaws are the least ideal scenario. The RDOS has a Purchasing Manager on staff who works to keep costs down and RFPs are awarded to qualified bidders at the lowest cost.

The RDOS aggressively pursues available grant opportunities but, cannot guarantee the successful receipt of future grants.

Generally grants are applied for after acquisition but, they can be applied for ahead of the acquisition, dependent on the outcome of the vote.

Currently, there are no plans for a direct mail-out. However, if there is a group of residents interested in assisting with the distribution of notices and information the RDOS would be happy to work with them. Additionally, there will be six weeks of advertising, as required by the Local Government Act, as well as information being shared on RDOS Regional Connections and the RDOS social media accounts.

Provincial water quality standards have increased over time and the existing system requires upgrades and maintenance.

The province has the final say in these matters.

Installation would not necessarily happen right away, as it would be dependent on staff availability and the status of other projects. However, grant applications would be viewed more favourably if water meters were either already installed or were being installed soon.

Upgrades and maintenance would still be required by the province.

Water meters will be required. Some grants are dependent on proper management of the utilities, which includes water metering.

It would depend on which grant applications are successful.

As long as improvement work is communicated to the province, time will be allowed for work to be completed.

The requisition limit identified and calculated is correct. However, the debt servicing will be done by parcel tax, not by requisitioning land and improvements.

The estimated annual parcel tax to cover capital costs for the Lakeshore Waterworks utility is $2,869.17.

The requisition limit is determined by Finance with input from Public Works, to ensure that the limit covers annual operating costs as well as debt servicing.