June 14, 2019 | from City of Kelowna

On Monday, a report to council will go forward to approve well regulations of all unregistered private water wells and provide the City with the ability to require wells to be closed that pose a risk to the City’s water infrastructure.

The proposed bylaw is a requirement by the Province as a condition of the $86-million Integrated Water project. The bylaw will also help ensure water quality is maintained throughout the City, and reduce the risk of water cross-contamination.

The bylaw proposes options for water well owners to professionally decommission their wells in order to connect to the City utility or, for those wishing to keep their wells for personal or irrigation use, to register them with the Province providing they are completely disconnected from City water sources.

The City is considering a program to assist residents with the well decommissioning process and details will be communicated at a future date.

If a well is decommissioned improperly, it could contaminate all water sources connected to it. Ensuring wells are professionally decommissioned by a certified well driller is a Provincial requirement and failure to do so can result in fines. Disconnecting and closing old wells also protects the groundwater aquifers below.