Glenmore Ellison Improvement District Joins Forces with the City of Kelowna

The Glenmore Ellison Improvement District (GEID) and City of Kelowna will officially join forces now that an Order in Council has been signed by the Province.

In March 2024, the GEID board unanimously signed a Transition Agreement with the goal of transferring the operation of GEID to the City of Kelowna for the benefit of our customers and community. The gradual change will begin January 1, 2025 and run through 2027. GEID staff and operations will be maintained as a business unit within the City to enable a smooth operational change. All GEID and City of Kelowna water utility customers will receive the same level of service through the transition while improving reliability, resiliency, and value in response to significant growth and climate change.

For over a century, our improvement district has been providing reliable and high-quality water services to the Glenmore Valley, supporting its growth and prosperity. We are proud of our achievements and our legacy, and we are confident that this transition will ensure continued quality, reliability, and sustainability of our water system.

The City of Kelowna shares our vision and values and has a proven track record of delivering integrated water services to a large and diverse customer base. By joining forces, we will be able to enhance our service levels and interconnectivity, improve our resilience and emergency response, and achieve economies of scale that will benefit all of our customers.

We look forward to working closely with the City of Kelowna and our customers to make this transition a success.

FAQ's:

Why transition now?

Our goal is a smooth transition that guarantees no disruption to the water quality or availability for our customers. The Glenmore-Ellison Valleys are expanding fast, we all must deal with more risks and costs from a changing climate. Based on a unanimous vote, the GEID board has determined that the best way to ensure a strong and lasting water system is through integration.

What will happen to staff at GEID?

GEID has a strong legacy in the Glenmore valley thanks in large part to the highly skilled staff that are experts within our water systems. The City and GEID are committed to ensuring that all current staff members of GEID are treated fairly during the transition, with continued employment at existing terms and conditions to ensure a seamless and successful transition.

Who will bill me and where will I pay?

GEID staff and administration will continue to operate the system and issue bills through the transition timeframe which will take approximately three years.

Could water rates or taxes change?

The transition itself will not increase rates for either utility. In the long term it should help improve resiliency and keep rates lower than otherwise. Based on economies of scale, all ratepayers will benefit. In addition, access to senior government grants and lower interest rates will provide added benefit to GEID rate payers.
The City of Kelowna will develop a financial plan within three years to merge GEID and City water rates. This will ensure that water customers are treated similarly between the two systems.

Will this impact the agricultural rate structure?

The transition itself will not increase rates for either utility. The City has a long-term goal of one rate structure for all water utility customers. During the three-year transition the City is committed to working with the agricultural community to determine the best rate structure that meets the needs of the community.

What about areas outside Kelowna such as Ellison?

The City will request that the Regional District of the Central Okanagan support the City continuing to service GEID customers located within the Regional District.

Will this affect how each utility addresses drought conditions?

GEID and the City are both aligned with the Okanagan Basin Water Board and Okanagan Waterwise programs which support water conservation across the entire Okanagan Valley. All water providers have a similar drought management plan with consistent water restrictions.

As our region has some of the driest conditions and highest per capita water use in Canada, both utilities encourage customers to monitor their usage and take steps to reduce their consumption.

Watering Restrictions:

Kelowna’s four major water utilities have assigned day, water conservation measures in place to help to reduce peaks in water use, reducing the high demands on our water delivery system at any given time. This allows the system to keep up with the demands for drinking water, irrigation, commercial use and storage for fire protection.

Drought conditions in the Okanagan have potential to be very high this summer, with high temperature and low precipitation.  GEID reminds all water users that it is critical to conserve water now wherever possible.  Making reductions to limit unnecessary water use will help to reduce the need to advance water restrictions later in the season or next year should a multi-year drought occur.

For water-use efficiency tips and to learn how to prepare for drought, please visit www.obwb.ca

Current ‘Normal’ Residential Water Use Restrictions:

Learn About Water Conservation: