Waste water plant can’t handle condo

With regard to the proposed development on the Pinnacle Golf Course at Gallagher’s Canyon, there are many problems associated with the proposal but I will focus on one: the waste water treatment plant.

It is not widely known, but the City of Kelowna is not responsible for sewage treatment at Gallagher’s. The Gallagher’s Canyon Property Owners’ Association is, and via strata fees, the residents pay for the management of the sewage treatment plant.

Despite investments and remediation over the last few years, the current sewage management infrastructure is barely able to meet current needs, let alone the increased capacity that another 40 condominium units would demand.

Note that the developer submitted a report as part of their proposal that inaccurately states that sewage treatment capacity is not an issue.

Come by the treatment plant on a hot summer day with the right breeze blowing, and see — or smell — for yourself.

It is unconscionable that the city, which does not have responsibility for sewage at Gallagher’s would, by approving this development, knowingly foist a burden on the existing residents for services typically managed by the city.

If the city wants to assume responsibility for the waste water treatment plant, then the city has a legitimate say in the matter.

That is the only justification for the city to agree to the proposed development — if it assumes responsibility for sewage treatment with the appropriate (and expensive) upgrade.

The waste water treatment plant is only one of many problems with the Pinnacle development proposal. A no vote from council on this development will translate into a yes vote from the majority of 600-plus Gallagher’s households at the next municipal election. We who are opposed to this development trust city council will do the right thing and turn down the developer’s proposal.

MaryJane Slavin, Kelowna