The Town of Osoyoos is going to spend an expected $650,000 more than first planned for 2022 in order to make necessary repairs to the 340 South Reservoir.
Two flow control check valves on the intake and the discharge pipework on the reservoir are currently leaking and, according to the report to town council, they pose a risk of failing if they aren’t fixed in time.
The project had originally been scheduled for inclusion in 2026 budget as a part of a borrowing project, but concerns were raised in October 2021 by town staff over the continual leakage.
The $650,000 was approved by town council on Jan. 25, and will be revised depending on a final design and the results of the municipal procurement process.
The estimated addition to the 2022 budget would be funded out of the town’s water capital reserve, and would go towards replacing the existing valves and pipework with a new above-grade chamber that would allow for easier repairs and maintenance.
In addition to the check valves, the valves that control the drainage of the reservoir and the valves that control the isolation of the reservoir have also been recommended to be replaced.
The original valves and pipework on the reservoir date back to its construction in 1964, the standards of which no longer meet current WorkSafeBC requirements for the chamber where the pipes and valves are located.
The reservoir itself is eight years past its 50-year service life expectancy according to the engineering report presented to the council, however it was noted that when the reservoir was cleaned in 2014 there were no signs of structural failure.
Further work will eventually be needed to address other concerns on the 340 South Reservoir and other upstream domestic reservoirs over chlorine residuals, which will need approval from council at that time.
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