Scotch Creek Water System Upgrade

Planning for an upgrade to the Scotch Creek Water system has been in the works for many years, with the development of the Scotch Creek Water Master Plan, completed in 2018.

This Scotch Creek Water System Upgrade project includes:

• building a water treatment plant
• installing a trunk watermain
• upgrading a water intake to increase treatment capacity and improve water services.

Construction plans
Construction of Phase 1 of the project is set for November 6, 2023. Ths will include the addition of distribution system piping.
Phase 2 will involve the development of the lake intake and pump/treatment building in 2024.
Final completion is expected to take place in Spring 2025.

Background
The road to the construction of the Scotch Creek Water System had its share of potholes, speed bumps and detours. Now, with the conclusion of a successful public assent process and the use of an innovative negotiated Request for Proposals (RFP) process, the project is on track for construction to begin in Spring 2023.

At the October 13, 2022 Regular Meeting, the CSRD Board unanimously approved third reading of bylaws to establish the new Scotch Creek Water System Service Area and authorize the loan for the remaining costs not covered by the grant. These costs were agreed to by the majority of property owners in a petition process for assent that concluded on September 29, 2022.

The Board also approved awarding the water system construction contract for the project to Mountainside Earthworks at a cost not to exceed $2.8 million. Currently work is underway on the surveys, archeological assessments and geotechnical requirements needed to complete the detailed design plans in preparation for construction next year.

Infrastructure Grant

The grant application was made in February 2020 for a new water system to be constructed within Scotch Creek. On December 17, 2021, the Federal and Provincial governments announced Scotch Creek Water System was one of the projects in BC to receive grant funds.

This includes Federal and Provincial contributions of more than $2.34 million towards upgrades for the system, which is located in the Columbia Shuswap Regional District's Electoral Area F. Assent of the electors was obtained by petition process on September 29, 2022, as additional funds are required for completion.

The unusually long decision process, coupled with cost escalations caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and supply chain issues, have caused CSRD staff and Urban Systems, the CSRD’s engineering consultant for this project, to be concerned with cost overruns. The cost estimate within the grant application was completed prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, cost escalation for the required pipe material alone is estimated to be in excess of $350,000.

In discussions with Urban Systems, the idea of using an alternate approach to tendering this project was proposed. This could realize substantial cost savings by using a negotiated RFP for detailed design and engineering. The process required Urban Systems to hire an experienced contractor to help them design the project to fit the reduced budget and to work collaboratively to find possible efficiencies. Then, the CSRD would have the option to enter into an agreement with the contractor to complete construction. Through a public procurement process, Mountainside Earthworks was hired to assist Urban Systems with the project.

Project Details

A public meeting was held Wednesday, August 17 at 6:30 PM in the Scotch Creek Community Hall. CSRD and representatives from Interior Health and Urban Systems presented project details.

A Fact Sheet and the CSRD and Interior Health Powerpoint presentations are available for viewing or downloading by clicking the link or going to the Supporting Documents tab on this page.

Check back for updates

As more information is available it will be posted to this project page.

Here is a map of the proposed Concept Design for the water system: