The Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) Board of Directors today (May 2) approved $20,000 in Community Works funding for a detailed groundwater analysis and test well program in Windermere.

“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,” explained Electoral Area F Director Wendy Booth.

“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 water. As we work to find a viable option that the community could support and that meets Interior Health drinking water standards, we felt it was important to do a detailed study on the groundwater well option so that we definitively know whether it is a possibility or not,” she said.

The RDEK’s consultant will begin that analysis within the next few weeks and the report on their findings is expected to 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; however, knowing the importance of this issue I believe we need to have a clear indication of whether this is – or is not – an option before we seek elector assent,” adds Booth. “Staff will be communicating with Interior Health so they are fully aware of where we are in the process and we will continue to keep the community informed.”

District of Invermere Mayor Gerry Taft, who originally suggested to the board, along with Electoral Area C Director Rob Gay, that groundwater be considered for Windermere’s expensive potable water conundrum, stated May 2 he’s pleased to see this step being taken.

However, he noted “there is no guarantee” that testing will produce positive results.

“This is such a huge dollar figure to bring potable water to Windermere” that the $20,000 analysis/test work is worth it, added Gay, RDEK Board Chair.

Windermere has been on a Water Quality Advisory since 2006 and several options have been looked at over the years to provide drinking water that meets the Interior Health treatment objectives and to remove the Advisory. In 2013, an engineering consultant prepared a report outlining nine options for consideration and short listing four of those options including: constructing a water treatment plant at the existing reservoir, purchasing an existing private utility, and constructing a water treatment plant at the old fire hall. Purchasing bulk water was included for comparison.

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