The Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) is pleased to announce that, as of November 10, 2017, two major components of the Erickson water system infrastructure replacement project have been completed. The original 11km long 1929 Arrow Creek main line is now fully pressurized, and the Erickson open water storage reservoir has been replaced by two closed reservoirs.
RDCK Area B and C Directors Tanya Wall and Larry Binks are pleased with this milestone completion. “I would like to express my excitement and enthusiasm about this long journey finally coming to fruition,” said Director Binks.
The pressurized main line eliminates a significant amount of leakage, reduces service disruptions and improves water pressures to customers at higher elevations. Many users in the north section of Erickson (north of Highway 3) will observe a permanent increase in their water pressure.
The Erickson open reservoir, located near 24th Avenue North, was open to environmental contamination which posed potential serious health risks. The two new Erickson closed reservoirs help mitigate the health risk and improve fire fighting capabilities.
The Boil Water Notice that has been in effect on the Erickson Water System since October 20th, 2017, is now rescinded. In addition, with these project components now complete, the pressure fluctuations users may have experienced during the construction period are no longer present.
In the final phase of the project, a clear well (water storage reservoir) will be installed near the Arrow Water Treatment Plant. The clear well will provide emergency water storage for customers near the Plant and will improve plant operation. This work will be done in spring 2018.
“This project is made possible with support from all water users in Erickson and Creston as well as from Clean Water & Wastewater and New Build Canada grants,” said Jason McDiarmid, manager of Utility Services. “We thank all water users for their patience as this work progressed through the various phases. Once the clear well is completed, we plan to host an event to honor those who built the original system and to thank our funding providers and customers.”
