The City is beginning a major infrastructure upgrade to strengthen the long-term reliability of the community's drinking water system and protect a critical connection between Okanagan Lake and the City's Water Treatment Plant.
Approved through the budget process, the project will replace approximately 250 metres of a critical raw water main that transports water from Okanagan Lake to the Water Treatment Plant, where it is treated before being delivered to homes and businesses throughout Penticton.
The existing 750-millimetre pipe section has experienced four breaks in the past five years and is being replaced to help ensure a reliable water supply for years to come.
Penticton's water system was designed with redundancy and resilience in mind. During construction, the City will temporarily use Penticton Creek as the raw water source for the Water Treatment Plant, ensuring there will be no interruption to treated drinking water service for residents and businesses.
The project has been scheduled for the fall, after irrigation season, when community water demand is lower and peak activity along the lakeshore is reduced. Replacing the pipe now is a proactive investment in reliable water infrastructure that will reduce the likelihood of future failures and help ensure the system can continue to serve the community for decades.
Construction will begin Oct. 13 and is expected to continue through November.
To safely complete the excavation, pipe replacement and dewatering work, Lakeshore Drive will be temporarily closed between Winnipeg Street and Main Street for the duration of construction. Detour routes will be clearly identified, and local access will be maintained where possible.
The City thanks residents, businesses and visitors for their patience as this important investment in Penticton's water infrastructure is completed.
Replacing this aging section of critical infrastructure is an important step in protecting the reliability of Penticton's water system. While construction will cause temporary disruption, the long-term benefit will be a stronger, more dependable water supply for the community.
For more information about Penticton’s water system, please visit: Penticton.ca/water.