Utilities

2022 Change to Sewer, Garbage & Recycling invoicing

Utility invoices are going to look different beginning July 2022.

Up until now, Utilities invoices have only included user fees related to the supply of water. The biggest change property owners will notice is that Garbage, Recycling, and Sewer user fees will now be included on Utility invoices (charges were previously listed on Property Tax Notices).

If you are not a District water customer, but own property in Lake Country, you will begin receiving quarterly Utility invoices beginning July 2022. Utility invoices for non-District Water customers will include Garbage, Recycling and Sewer user fees (if applicable), prorated over four quarters.

If you currently subscribe to paperless Utility invoices – the service will be suspended beginning April 1, 2022 but will resume in 2023.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Why am I receiving a utilities invoice when I have never before?

The District is updating its financial services software and processes. In the past, garbage, recycling and sewer user fees were included on Property Tax Notices. Now, the garbage, recycling and sewer user fees, if applicable, will be invoiced quarterly in Utility Invoices. The Utility Invoices that went out in July 2022 were the first invoices which included sewer usage, garbage and recycling and these services were prorated for the first six months of the year. Future invoices will only include usage for the past three months.

My bank won’t accept the account number when I try to pay. Help!

Our payee name is typically LAKE COUNTRY – UTILITIES but this may vary depending on your bank. Search the payee list for “Lake Country” and find the appropriate name. Enter your Utility Account Number. If you account number is not accepted by your bank's system, additional digits may be required by your bank. Please add zero(s) at the beginning of the account number, for example, if your account number is 1234567 try entering 01234567.

Am I being overcharged? My bill seems very high.

The Utility Invoices that went out in July 2022 were the first invoices using a new financial software and were prorated to include the first six months of sewer usage, garbage and recycling fees. These amounts had previously been included as a yearly amount on the property tax bill. Water usage for the first three months of 2022 was invoiced to users in a First Quarter Utility Invoice. All future quarterly invoices will include usage for the previous three months.

Some charges that were previously on your Property Tax Notice, like garbage, recycling and sewer usage, have been removed from your 2022 Property Tax Notice and included in the new quarterly invoicing of utilities.

If you have copies of your 2021 and 2022 Property Tax Notice, a comparison will show garbage, recycling and, if applicable, sewer user fees have been removed.

No new charges were introduced as a result of the change in invoicing and the financial system upgrade. Council sets the property Tax Rate Bylaw each year (in 2022 the rate was 5.88%) and the Water Rates Bylaw sets the rates for water. This bylaw was updated in early 2022 with new water rates. The rates were increased to address inflationary pressures and continued service delivery. The rates were last updated in 2019.

Why am I being charged for sewer when I’m on septic?

The District’s Environmental Levy of $75 and a $275 Sewer Service Parcel Tax is applied annually. The Environmental Levy is for the eventual expansion of the sewer system and the parcel tax is levied on all properties capable of being drained into the municipal sewer system, whether or not the property is connected to the sewer, and supports the operations and maintenance of the municipal sewer/wastewater system.

Sewer user fees are charged on properties that are connected to municipal sewer. These fees formerly appeared on Property Tax Notices and now appear on Utility Invoices.

How did the District inform residents about these changes?

January 2022 – Citizen Bulletin mailed to every residence; included information about upcoming changes to property tax and utility billing
February 2 – News Release about the Bulletin - Important Information Arriving Into your Mailbox
February 2 – Facebook Post about Bulletin – Facebook – check your mailbox
May 2022 – Information posted on www.lakecountry.bc.ca/utilities
June 10 – News Release distributed and posted on the website - Skip the Line Up - Property Tax Payment Options and Utility Billing Changes
July 19 – News Release distributed and posted on the website – Changes to Utility Invoices
Ads were placed in several editions of the Lake Country Calendar

Keep informed; SUBSCRIBE to receive e-notification of District news and events.

Oyama Water Quality Advisory remains in place

May 13, 2022 - Boil Water Notice Rescinded; Water Quality Advisory now in place

The District performed work on the watermain south of the Middle Bench/Todd Road intersection. The project was complete by May 13^th, 2022.

This project involved the shutdown of water to all properties within the highlighted boundary of the attached map from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM on Tuesday, May 10^th, 2022. containers.

Due to the large area affected by the work, it was necessary to issue a Boil Water Notice immediately following the shutdown. The Boil Water Notice remained in effect until laboratory testing confirmed that no risks to public health are present, and results have been reviewed by the Interior Health Authority.

Once the water is turned back on, it is not uncommon for water to be discoloured due to air being introduced into the system. Discoloured water may result from the disturbance of lead in pipes or the introduction of air or debris during the works. The District recommends running outside taps and sink or bathtub faucets to flush your internal plumbing after water services have been reinstated.

To receive information on utility outages along with other important District of Lake Country information please subscribe to District e-news at lakecountry.bc.ca/subscribe

If you have any further questions or concerns, please contact Nick Van Dalen, Engineering Technician, District of Lake Country, at (778) 738-2709.

water outage area map May 2022

Water

Water Quality Advisories

Beaver/Swalwell Lake

Beaver Lake Water Quality Advisory in Effect

Kalamalka Lake

No water quality advisory in effect.

Oyama Lake

Oyama Lake Water Quality Advisory In Effect
Attention water customers on the east bench of Oyama: For most of the year you receive water from the Kalamalka Lake source, but during the high use agricultural irrigation period (starting the last week of April to September) your water source reverts back to the Oyama Lake source which remains on a Water Quality Advisory that has been in place since 2013. Please note, the GIS map below will always show your water source as Oyama Lake.

Okanagan Lake

No water quality advisory in effect.

Coral Beach System

No water quality advisory in effect.

Lake Pine System

No water quality advisory in effect.

WHAT IS MY WATER SOURCE?

Please check the interactive water source map to confirm which source your property is on: www.lakecountry.bc.ca/MyWatermap

Find your property and click on it to view the pop up dialogue box which will tell you the water source and link to any Advisory or Notice information.

What is a Water Quality Advisory?
(WATCH this 40 second video to find out more)

Learn more: Waterborne Infections in British Columbia | HealthLinkBC File 49a

VIEW the interactive Drinking Water for All map for all water utilities (including the small private utilities that serve only a few households) regulated through Interior Health

Beach Water Quality - Algae Blooms

Lake water is not pristine and beach water quality can fluctuate due to a number of factors including lake currents, runoff and outflow from creeks, changing environmental factors and waterfowl and animal waste.

Additionally, Water Quality is typically poorer in the summer when the warm weather escalates bacterial growth and swimmers stir up the lake bottom.

Water Testing

Each summer, municipal staff collect water samples from a number of our beaches for Interior Health to test and analyze. Beaches that historically have shown higher than acceptable coliform counts at certain periods during the summer months are sampled weekly, with no fewer than five samples in a 30-day period.

The District of Lake Country is also taking measures to enhance beach water quality including the implementation of a valley-wide Goose Management Plan.

Beach Water Quality Advisory

A Beach Water Quality Advisory is a notice to swimmers that bacterial levels are currently higher than those allowed in the Guidelines for Canadian Recreational Water Quality. The maximum allowable number of E. coli bacteria in recreational water is 200 per 100-millilitre sample.

The risk of infection is directly related to bacterial counts in the water. When E. coli reaches 200 units per 100 millilitre sample it’s expected that one per cent of bathers may develop gastrointestinal illness (GI) if these bacteria are ingested. For every one GI illness, two to three other illnesses - skin rashes (swimmer’s itch excluded) and eye, ear and throat symptoms - can be expected. The very young, the very old and people with weakened immunity are the most susceptible.

When a Beach Water Quality Advisory is in place signage will be posted at the affected beach.

Once testing shows bacteria levels have returned to acceptable levels the Advisory will be lifted and the signage removed.

Protect Yourself

Avoid swallowing lake water
Avoid swimming with an open cut or wound
Avoid swimming for 24-hours after a significant rainfall
Stay away from the water if you are experiencing digestive or intestinal problems
Wash your hands before handling food

Protect the Beach

Don’t feed the birds
Don’t take your pet to most beaches
Don’t litter or discard food on the beach
Change diapered children in the bathroom frequently, not at the beach
Dispose of boat sewage in onshore sanitary facilities
Wash your hands with soap and water after using the toilet or after changing diapers
Never bury waste in beach sand
Call 250-766-5650 if you see something that needs our attention

For more information on beach water quality, contact Interior Health at 250 862-4200.

Understanding Beach Water Quality

Disease-causing microorganisms in water include bacteria, viruses and parasites (e.g. Giardia and Cryptosporidium). These disease-causing organisms can be discharged directly to water bodies or transported with surface runoff. Sources are numerous and include discharge of untreated sewage, runoff from agricultural activities and wastes from waterfowl and wild and domestic animals. Fertilizers, pesticides, and garbage can also contaminate beach water.
Beach water quality is typically poorer in summer due to warmer water temperatures and the number of people swimming. Contamination is also more likely to increase during and after rainstorms.
Escherichia coli (E. coli) belongs to a group of bacteria called fecal coliforms that originate in the digestive tract of warm-blooded animals. E. coli is a common human bacteria primarily used as indicator bacteria and should not be confused with E. Coli 0157:H7 which causes outbreaks of bloody diarrhea, however, there are categories of E. coli that cause diarrhea.

Goose Management

Learn more about the regional Goose Management program.

Algae Blooms

Find information about Algae Blooms in local lakes.

Billing

Attention Customers:

The District is upgrading its financial administration software which will temporarily impact the ability to access the online utility billing information.

At this time, new customers will not be able to register for online access and existing accounts will not have access effective April 1, 2022. Online access to Utility Billing Accounts is expected to resume in early 2023.

If you have questions about utility billing, please contact 250-766-6680 or email Utilitybillings@lakecountry.bc.ca

Utilities invoices are charged quarterly with the following billing cycles and due dates:

January 1 to March 31 - due May 15
April 1 to June 30 – due August 15
July 1 to September 30 – due November 15
October 1 to December 31 – due February 15

To update your mailing address for water utility invoices and property taxes please modify your contact details directly through BC Assessment Authority using this link to the form on their website. Please complete the form for your Lake Country property specifying: Area 19, Jurisdiction 331 and use the 8 digit Roll Number (no dots, dashes or spaces; and if the roll number only has 7 digits then a zero should be added before the 7 digits).

If you input your address on this site (https://www.bcassessment.ca/) then the Area, Jurisdiction and Roll number will be displayed for you to enter on the form. For additional assistance call BCAA’s toll-free number at 1-866-825-8322.

The District of Lake Country receives a weekly update from BC Assessment to ensure records are consistent.

Payment Options

All unpaid balances past the due date will incur interest of 1.5% per month compounded annually. It is each customer's responsibility to make sure the bill is paid by the deadline to avoid penalties. Outstanding charges at December 31 are rolled into taxes in arrears and accrue interest.

Payment options include:

cheque, cash, debit card at Municipal Hall, in person or use drop box located at the north entrance of Municipal Hall
credit cards are now accepted for payment of utility invoices using the third party secure Option Pay system
payments sent by mail must be RECEIVED by the due date
at your financial institution using 'Lake Country Utilities' as a payee and the account number found on your water bill (with one or two zeros added to the beginning of the number to ensure it is the 7-digit format that most banks require for payment processing)
online/telephone banking, allow 2-3 business days processing time to ensure payment is made on time (make sure to include your utility account number when paying online)

2022 Rates

The rates below are for 2022. The water rates are included in the Water Regulation and Rates Bylaw (Schedule B)

Customer Category	Base Rate (Annual)	Base Rate (Quarterly)	Consumption
Single Family Residential	$468 per dwelling	$117	$0.86 per cubic meter
Registered Accessory or Secondary Suite	N/A	N/A	$0.86 per cubic meter
Multifamily	$374.40 per dwelling	$93.60	$0.86 per cubic meter
Commercial (Also includes Industrial & Institutional)	Dependent on meter size		$0.86 per cubic meter
Agricultural Water	$125 per acre	$31.25 per acre	N/A
Seasonal Irrigation	$150 per connection	$37.50 per connection	$0.86 per cubic meter
Non-connected Fee	$100 per connection	$25 per connection	N/A
Unmetered Fee	$3,200 per connection	$800 per connection	N/A

Note that where there are two (2) or more distinct premises on one parcel, the annual base rate will be multiplied by the number of distinct premises; except where a distinct premise is a Registered Secondary Suite or Registered Accessory Suite.

Other User Fees and Taxes

All other water related user fees, including non-connected user fees for Local Service Areas such as Coral Beach and Lake Pine, see Water Regulation and Rates Bylaw (Schedule A)

Properties located in the Ponderosa Road Local Service Area may be subject to annual parcel taxes as outlined in the Ponderosa Road Local Service Parcel Tax Bylaw 694, 2008

Seasonal Irrigation

All Lake Country seasonal irrigation connections will be turned OFF between October 11 and 14, 2022.

We are unable to give the exact day and time the Water services team will be at each property. If you have questions, please call the Utilities Department at 250-766-6677.

Please use this fillable form to request an early irrigation turn on/off. Email it to engineering@lakecountry.bc.ca.

REQUEST irrigation turn on/off

Private Water Utilities

If your water service is provided by a private utility company you will receive a bill from them directly. If you have any questions regarding your service or invoice please contact the appropriate utility.

Alto Utilities
10397 Lodge Road
Lake Country, BC V4V 1V6
Emergency Phone: 778-805-1501

East Side Utility
c/o Harvey Lister Inc.
502 Ellis Street
Penticton, BC V2A 4M3
Emergency Contact: Drew Allingham
Pager: 250-717-9724
Cell: 250-689-2285

Kal Pine Utility
#48 - 17610 Rawsthorne Rd
Lake Country, BC V4V 2K2
Emergency Contact: Don Wakeham
Phone: 250-548-4064

Gatzke Road Utility
16844 Gatzke Road
Lake Country, BC V4V 2J1
Emergency Contact: Denis Murphy
Phone: 250-548-3438

Water Restrictions - Normal Conditions

Normal Conditions

Wise water use practices:

Manual watering in mornings or evenings and not during the mid-day heat or when it is windy.
Watering with a watering can or by hand whenever possible.
Keep grass longer and leave clippings on the lawn.
Remember to turn off your automated irrigation system during rainy periods. Don't set it and forget it!
Don't water gravel or pavement

Stage 1

90-80% of Average Conditions. Residential and commercial irrigation is permitted on alternating days:

Even numbered addresses - even calendar days only
Odd numbered addresses - odd calendar days only
Underground systems with timers - alternate days only

Stage 2

80-45% of Average Conditions. Residential and commercial irrigation is permitted once or twice a week as determined by the Director.

Stage 3

<45% of Average Conditions. Residential and commercial irrigation is prohibited.

Water Source Map

Please check the interactive water source map to confirm which source your property is on. Click on your property to view the dialogue box which will tell you your water source and link to any Advisory of Notice information.

CLICK HERE and Zoom in to find your address and water source information on this GIS Map.

Water Reports, Links and More Info

Building Climate Resilience in the Okanagan - A Homeowner's Resource Guide
Interior Health Beach Water Quality
Interior Health Drinking Water Protection
Make Water Work Take the Challenge and Make Your Pledge to conserve water in the Okanagan
Okanagan Basin Water Board (OBWB): Don't Move a Mussel Program
Water Master Plan
Water Operations Annual Reports for Lake Country
Water Quality Reports
Water Regulation and Rates Bylaw 984, 2016 (as amended February 2019)
Watershed and Sustainability Plan
Water Source FAQs
Water Source Map
What is swimmer's itch?

Watermains - commissioning a new watermain for development

Please read the New Watermain Commissioning Policy 189, 2021 and complete the appropriate forms (included with policy document) before commissioning a new watermain for a development.

Winterizing your backflow preventor for agricultural properties

CLICK HERE to watch a brief video to learn how to winterize your backflow preventor on an agricultural property.

Water Treatment Plant

The Beaver Lake Water Treatment Plant will improve water quality on this source and remove the need for a permanent water quality advisory. A feasibility study is currently underway. Find out more about this project and more underway at Lake Country: Major Projects | DLC Open Data

Sewer

Bylaws and Parcel Tax

View the draft OPERATIONAL CERTIFICATE 14651 from the Ministry of Environment to the District of Lake Country for the wastewater treatment facility located in Lake Country, BC.

Sewer utilities are included annually on property tax notices. All parcels of land that are capable of being connected to the sewer system or which are deemed to abut the sewer system are charged a parcel tax regardless of whether they are connected. Properties that are connected to sewer are charged a user fee and a parcel tax. Please refer to Sewer Service Parcel Tax Bylaw 98-224 for all the details.

Parcel Tax: $275 per year.
Annual Residential User Fee: $250 per distinct premises on the property, multiplied by the number of distinct premises.
Non-residential User Fee: Based on a $250 minimum charge. Refer to Schedule A of Sanitary Sewer Regulation and Rate Bylaw 98-214 for more information.
Environmental Levy: The environmental levy is a tax to provide for the eventual expansion of the sewer collection system. All properties within the municipality are capable of being drained into the District of Lake Country sewer system, and all properties have the opportunity to use the system therefore each parcel is assessed annually with the parcel tax. The environmental parcel tax is a flat rate charge per parcel at $75 per parcel. Please refer to Sewer System Parcel Tax Bylaw 98-182 (also known as Wastewater Management Plan Parcel Tax Bylaw 182-1998) for more information.

Source Control

Fats, Oils, Greases

Fats, oils, and grease are collectively referred to as “FOG” in the world of wastewater treatment. FOG can come from a variety of sources, cooking meat, dairy products, or salad dressings. Although delicious, FOG can be problematic for sanitary sewer collection systems. FOG becomes liquid and when heated, making it easy to wash down the sink; however, as FOG cools down, it hardens, congeals, and aggregates together. This collection and eventual build-up of FOG leads to blockages in the sewer collection system.

Check out the Reginal District of Central Okanagan's video on fats, oils and greases here.

Solids & Grit

Solids and grit are another problem that have to be dealt with in the wastewater collection system. Solids can come from a variety of sources, including food scraps, packaging, or any other substances that should be composted, recycled, or thrown into the trash. Grit refers to small solids that can easily go down the sink with liquids, examples include coffee grinds, eggshells, or seeds. Solids and grit cause many problems for wastewater collection systems as they build up in the collection system, especially where FOG is present, and contribute to sewer main blockages.

Wet wipes should never enter the sewer system – not even if they are labelled “flushable”. These disposable wipes should be placed in the garbage after use.

Garburators (food grinders) are not permitted to be connected to the Districts’ sanitary sewer system. Garburators introduce excess solids to the sewer system, which can lead to costly backups. Food scraps should be collected using sink strainers and disposed of in the compost or trash.

Grease Traps/Interceptors

What are they?

Grease traps are small, engineered containers with baffle walls inside to help slow the rate effluent discharged to the sewer system. The slowed effluent allows solids and grit to settle to the bottom of the grease trap, while fats, oils, and grease float to the top. The effluent leaving the grease trap is relatively clear.

Grease interceptors serve the same purpose as grease traps; however, they are much larger and are designed to handle larger effluent flows. While grease traps are typically found under sinks or built into the floor of businesses, grease interceptors are constructed outside, underground, and are accessible by manholes.

Who needs them?

Any commercial business or home occupation that is likely to discharge FOG, grit, flammable substances, or other components which may interfere with or damage the sanitary sewer system is required to install, monitor, and maintain an interceptor. Examples include:

Commercial kitchens (including bakeries and coffee shops).
Dry-cleaning establishments.
Service stations, vehicle repair garages, and car wash bays.
Concrete and aggregate washing plants.
Laboratories.

Where should they be installed?

Grease traps are most effective when installed immediately downstream of the point of entry to the sewer system (i.e., under a sink). When grease traps/interceptors are installed too far away from where wastewater is discharged, they have the potential to cool, harden, and create blockages in your internal plumbing.

Grease traps typically should not be installed downstream of a dishwasher, as FOG becomes liquid when heated, which can flow through traps into the sewer system until cooled. FOG and food scraps should be scraped into the compost/garbage or wiped with paper towel or used citrus fruits before being placed in the dishwasher.

How should they be installed?

Grease traps must be sized and installed by a licensed plumber. A sampling “T” is required to be installed downstream of the grease trap/interceptor (refer to Appendix A). Use of a cleanout in the upstream process piping is recommended to make cleaning and maintenance easier.

It is important that effluent entering grease traps/interceptors not be combined with general wastewater (i.e., water from toilets). Enzymes or surfactants that break down FOG are only temporarily effective and should not be used as they will congeal further down in the sewer system.

Maintenance of Grease Traps/Interceptors

Image courtesy of the Capital Regional District

Grease traps are to be cleaned regularly to ensure the combined depth of FOG floating on the top and grit/solids at the bottom of the grease trap should never exceed 25% the wetted height. Additionally, effluent leaving traps should not exceed the required chemical or biological parameters as outlined by the Sanitary Sewer Regulation and Rate Bylaw 98-214 (section 3.2.1, Prohibitions).

The frequency of grease trap cleanings can vary from once a day to monthly, depending on the nature of the restaurant. Grease interceptors are much larger; therefore, cleanings can vary from weekly quarterly or bi-annually.

Grease should be disposed of by the contractor doing the cleaning. If the cleaning is being done in-house it can be placed in the garbage. Maintenance logs are required to record all cleanings, repairs, or any calibration performed on grease traps. Maintenance logs are to be kept onsite for a minimum of three years and the District can request to review the log at any time. A sample maintenance log can be found here.