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The Invermere
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ALLEY CHO May 14 2014
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Vo l . Local piper helps haul in hardware
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Akisqnuk First Nation members Lyndsay Phillip (left) and Nelson Phillip (right) were part of the drum circle at a Wings Over The Rockies welcome event at the Lakeshore Resort and Campground on Tuesday, May 6th. The deer-skin drum frame was passed down from Nelson Phillip’s grandfather. See page 12 for more Valley Life.
PHOTO BY GREG AMOS
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Funding approved for Windermere groundwater analysis STEVE HUBRECHT steve@invermerevalleyecho.com A new twist has developed in the long-running efforts to improve Windermere’s water quality, with the Regional District of East Kootenay board of directors approving funding for a detailed groundwater analysis and test well program for the community. “The possibility of groundwater wells has been considered in the past and eliminated as an option after the consultant’s high level review determined there were too many risks to finding a good groundwater source that close to the lake that wasn’t under the influence of surface water,” said Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) Area F director Wendy Booth in a press release. “However, recently there have been two large wells drilled in Invermere and Fairmont and both of those wells have tapped into an aquifer that
is not being influenced by surface wa- over the years in an attempt to imter. As we work to find a viable option prove the water quality and have the that the community could support and advisory lifted. An option to purchase that meets Interior Health drinking wa- bulk water from a private supplier, ter standards, we felt it was important Parr Utilities, was rejected by Windto do a detailed study on the ground- ermere residents in a June 2011 referwater well option so that we defini- endum. Earlier this past winter, public tively know whether it is a possibility meetings were held, based on a report or not.” prepared by an engineering consultant The regional disthat shortlisted four trict board of diGenerally speaking, options, including rectors approved constructing a wagroundwater can be ter treatment plant $20,000 for the groundwater analy- a less expensive option ... at the existing resWENDY BOOTH sis and test well proervoir, purchasing RDEK AREA F DIRECTOR gram at the board’s Parr Utilities outMay 2nd meeting. right, constructing a water treatment Windermere has had a water quality plant at the old fire hall, and — for advisory in place since 2006 and, like comparison sake only — purchasing other communities across the prov- bulk water from Parr. ince, is supposed to meet the prov“Generally speaking, ground water ince’s new water standards guidelines can be a less expensive option than before January 2015. Several options surface water, however it depends on have been examined and discussed the level of treatment ground water
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may need,” Director Booth told The Valley Echo. “While still in the initial stages, there has been positive ground water results in Fairmont Hot Springs. Based on this and the District of Invermere having a viable ground water source, I feel it is worth pursuing this option for Windermere. This is an unknown for Windermere, and I think we need to have a definite answer whether or not it is viable.” The public meetings held and feedback received thus far remain important, even though groundwater was not including as an option then, she said. The groundwater analysis will begin within the next few weeks and a report on the findings will likely be completed by the end of the year. “Doing this detailed analysis will take approximately six months, so it will mean a further delay in taking an option to the community (in the form of See A9
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