The board of directors for the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) has voted to hold a referendum on April 11, 2025, asking residents whether the controversial Sage Mesa water system should be managed and operated by the RDOS and whether the district should borrow $33 million to fund a complete upgrade of the failing system.

In July 2024, a detailed engineering report presented to the RDOS board confirmed that the Sage Mesa water system had deteriorated and required a full upgrade. Frequent failures had led to regular boil-water advisories for the 246 property owners served by the system.

A year ago, the provincial government announced that the property owners would be responsible for borrowing the funds, and a referendum would be required to decide if the RDOS should take o

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