The Mabel Lake Sewer Lift Station in North Okanagan will soon be better prepared for power outages with the installation of a new generator. The Regional District of North Okanagan (RDNO) announced the upgrade to ensure the facility remains operational year-round, addressing frequent outages that have previously caused untreated effluent to be diverted to an overflow chamber.
The RDNO highlighted that keeping the station running during power failures is essential for preventing such environmental incidents. In addition to the generator installation, electrical upgrades will be made to ensure the system meets current standards.
Work on the $421,000 project is scheduled to begin on September 23 and is expected to be completed by the end of November. The project is fully funded by a contribution from the Canada Community-Building Fund allocated to Electoral Area F.
Harjit Sajjan, Minister of Emergency Preparedness, spoke on behalf of Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities, praising the investment. “Ensuring reliable wastewater services during power outages is vital for the health of the community and environmental protection,” Sajjan stated, noting that the project will enhance infrastructure resilience and benefit residents for years to come.