RDOS staff are continuing to address priority repairs to both the water and wastewater systems, based on public safety and operational needs.

• The RDOS is working with multiple consultants and suppliers to address immediate system issues and ongoing operational requirements.
• Repairs and interim improvements are being carried out while longer‑term infrastructure upgrades are planned and designed.

Work is underway to advance the planning and design of upgrades to the wastewater treatment plant so it can accommodate additional connections and increased usage.

• A Request for Proposals (RFP) is being prepared and is expected to be released in early April to retain an engineering consultant.
• The consultant is anticipated to be retained in May, at which time detailed design work for system upgrades would begin.
• The anticipated timeline for design and construction is approximately 18–24 months, depending on contractor availability, permitting requirements, and supply timelines.
• Project timelines will be updated as the consultant is retained and design work progresses.

The RDOS is also advancing planning for upgrades to the Lakeshore Water System, with a regional approach under consideration.

• An RFP is being prepared for release in April to retain a consultant to plan and design a regional water treatment plant serving:
  • Lakeshore Water System
  • Skaha Estates Water System
• The feasibility of including Kaleden and Okanagan Falls as additional partners in a regional water treatment plant will be assessed as part of this work.
• The consultant is expected to be retained in May to begin technical assessments and design work.
• Designs and assessments are anticipated to take approximately 12–18 months.
• Permitting, including archaeological and environmental assessments, may require an additional 12–18 months.
• Construction timelines will be determined once designs are finalized and permit requirements are confirmed.

The ability to accept building permit applications is closely tied to water and wastewater system capacity and regulatory requirements.

• RDOS staff are working with relevant permitting agencies to identify constraints and potential issues related to issuing building permits before system upgrades are completed.
• Options and temporary solutions are being developed and are expected to be brought forward for RDOS Board consideration in early May, with discussion anticipated at the May 7 Committee of the Whole meeting.
• A bylaw and procedures update related to processing and approving building permit applications for Vintage Views Wastewater System and Lakeshore Water System customers is anticipated to be presented to the Board in June.
• Subject to Board approval of the proposed options and temporary solutions, building permit applications could begin to be received in summer 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.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.

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.

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.

• 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.

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.

• 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.

• Billing and reimbursements:
  RDOS Finance
  250‑490‑4388 | finance@rdos.bc.ca
• Utilities and service availability:
  RDOS Utilities
  250‑490‑4135 | utilities@rdos.bc.ca