With the construction of the Rose Valley Water Treatment Plant to begin in 2018, water rates are about to increase for people in West Kelowna, starting in January.
Special Projects Manager Lorne Raymond says that's because the city needs to contribute about $8 million toward the project, which will allow for the merger of existing utilities.
"The Rose Valley system that would consist essentially of the four exisiting systems - City of West Kelowna, Sunnyside, Pritchard, and LID - would have an annual average single family dwelling cost of $629. Powers Creek, the proposed cost would go to $731 from this year's average of $631, for a single family dwelling," he said.
"In 2018, the fixed rate component (of the annual charge) would consist of an operating component, debt payment, and capital component. The variable rate - which is the consumption element - together with the fixed rate, would make up the total water charge."
Those debt repayment and capital components will translate into the increases, as just $41 million of the $49 million project came in government funding.
The increases for users of the Powers Creek Treatment Plant will help pay for capital works to the system to improve upland storage and fire protection.
Once the Rose Vally Water Treatment Plant is complete, all systems will be named the West Kelowna Water System.
Like their counterparts in Kelowna, West Kelowna council has said wants to see one water system, one rate structure and one quality of water for everyone in the city.