Advocates for Vernon's sparkling Kalamalka Lake have delivered a petition to Vernon-Lumby MLA Harwinder Sandhu, calling for protection of local drinking water in light of a proposed septic system that is slated to be built near a key water source for the Greater Vernon Area. 

Eight members of the Society for the Protection of Kalamalka Lake (SPrKL) dressed in blue to deliver the petition to Sandhu's office Friday, Feb. 21. Sandhu's team received the petition as the MLA is currently in Victoria. 

Launched Jan. 10, the has garnered roughly 3,100 signatures in six weeks. 

The issue that concerns SPrKL is a proposed project by VegPro, an agricultural company that operates in Coldstream. VegPro is proposing to build two seasonal worker accommodation buildings that would house up to 96 workers at its Ricardo Road site in Coldstream. 

The project includes the installation of a septic system, which is at the centre of SPrKL's concerns. 

Regional District of North Okanagan (RDNO) staff highlighted concerns about the proposed septic system for the project, saying it could increase troublesome algae blooms and decrease water quality as it would be very close to Coldstream Creek, which feeds into Kalamalka Lake and supplies drinking water for most Greater Vernon residents. 

The issue has as to who is responsible for approving the septic system and others like it. Interior Health, the RDNO and the Ministry of Environment all say it is not their responsibility to approve the septic system. 

SPrKL says a septic system close to Coldstream Creek could leach nutrients that would pollute the creek and lake water.

The group issued the petition to Sandhu, Interior Health and provincial ministries, calling for oversight for the project and overall protection of the water. The group said they were not protesting, but see themselves as "protectors" of Kalamalka Lake. 

"We're not here to fight or anything like that, we really want to bring awareness to people in the community," said SPrKL member Katherine Reiber. 

"A lot of people don't know that Kal Lake is actually a huge part of our drinking water here in Vernon," Reiber continued, adding many people nonetheless want to protect what is widely seen as a natural gem for the community.

"We've been asking if it's possible to just look over what it is that (VegPro) is proposing to make sure that it does ensure the standards that are needed," Reiber said. 

SPrKL member Flo Ryan has lived on Kalamalka Lake for 45 years.

"I'm very worried about the condition it's in," she said, as the society says swimmer's itch, beach shutdowns, algae blooms and aquatic weeds like milfoil have become bigger issues in recent years. 

SPrKL board member Simone Runyan said the vast majority of people who signed the petition are from the Vernon and Coldstream area. 

"Obviously people are very interested in looking after Kal Lake," she said. 

Runyan said since the '90s, more nutrients have made their way into Kalamalka Lake due to people disturbing the soils, fertilizers and human and livestock waste.

"Fundamentally it's just really important to keep those nutrients on the land where they make plants nice and green ... and keep them low in the waters so we don't get algae blooms and eutrophication," Runyan said. 

Asked about the apparent regulatory gap in which neither Interior Health, the RDNO or the provincial ministry are in a position to approve the septic system, Runyan says there may be issues with the professional reliance model, but at the end of the day it's up to the province.

"I think it's confusing and it does need oversight and clarification, because the province, in my opinion, is where the buck stops as far as environmental protection, they have the ultimate responsibility," she said. "Sometimes there's gaps in legislation. In this case it's important to consider that this septic system is near a drinking water source."

The group said they have been in communication with Sandhu about the issue and said the MLA is "very supportive" of protecting Kal Lake water.

SPrKL member Keli Westgate pointed out that it's not just about protecting drinking water for people; she said in 2024, almost 20,000 kokanee salmon were estimated to be spawning in Coldstream Creek.

"It's water protection but also fish protection," she said. 

SPrKL was formed in 2007 but the perceived threat to drinking water posed by the VegPro project reinvigorated its board, according to Westgate, and the group came together in December to rally around the drinking water issue.

VegPro executive director Jonathan Blais previously told The Morning Star the project has been approved by a professional engineer who ensured the company installs the right septic system.