South Vernon Irrigation District

• Greater Vernon Water 2018

GVW is a regional water utility owned and operated by the RDNO. Some utility operations are contracted out to the City of Vernon and the District of Coldstream to achieve efficiencies, such as billing and operations, which is why your water bill comes from your municipality.

Properties within the SVID irrigation (non-potable) system will be invoiced a flat rate per hectare per quarter (minimum 0.4 hectare). Mobile homes within the SVID irrigation (non-potable) system are billed a flat rate per quarter. In addition to the non-potable rates, the potable rates are per the  current rates bylaw that can be found here:

• Greater Vernon Water Rates Imposition Bylaw No. 2864, 2020

Water rates are set by the RDNO Board of Directors. SVID customers receive their water bills from the City of Vernon and are welcome to contact the City of Vernon staff regarding questions about the rates or specific charges on your bill.

Rates are based on the actual cost to provide water.  GVW does not receive any taxation money and the only outside source of income are grant funds that the utility seeks out to assist in reducing costs to customers.

As a regional utility, GVW legally cannot run a deficit and each year’s annual expenses, including operation & maintenance, debt payments, construction and reserve contributions, must be recovered directly from user fees during that year or be funded from reserves. 

• GVW Rates Imposition Bylaw No. 2864, 2020
• GVW Subdivision and Development Servicing – Bylaw No. 2650, 2013
• GVW Subdivision and Development Servicing Application Procedures and Administrative Fees - Bylaw No. 2658, 2015
• GVW Metering – Bylaw No. 2731, 2019
• GVW Use and Regulation – Bylaw No. 2545, 2014
• Cross Connection Control Regulation – Bylaw No. 2651, 2014
• Development Cost Charges – Bylaw No. 1983, 2004
• Greater Vernon Regional Water Supply Local Service Establishment - Bylaw No. 1262, 1994
• Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 2909, 2021
• Ticket Information Authorization – Bylaw No. 2908, 2021

South Vernon Irrigation District is part of GVW and it follows the Interior Health Water Quality Program, which is dedicated to achieving safe, clean, reliable drinking water as an essential component of a healthy community. 

Residents can sign up for email notifications to follow water source changes or supply interruptions (planned or emergency). 

• Administrative and Operating Policy for South Vernon Irrigation District East
• Exterior Wildfire Sprinkler and Irrigation Use - Policy No. BPOL-015
• Greater Vernon Water Fire Hydrants on Private Property - Policy No. ENG-WTR-004
• Greater Vernon Water Purchase of Agricultural Water Allocation - Policy No. ENG-WTR-005
• Latecomer Procedure - Policy No. ENG 001, and Procedure Manual (includes Application
• Maximum Number of Water Services - Policy No. ENG-WTR-001
• Statutory Right of Way Release - Policy No. BPOL-007
• Utility Acquisition - Policy No. ENG-WTR-002

New developments requiring water servicing from GVW must follow the following standards:

• Greater Vernon Water Subdivision and Development Servicing Bylaw No. 2650, 2013
• AC Pipe Crossing
• Air Valve Chamber
• Highway/Railway Crossing
• Typical Irrigation Service - 38mm - 75mm
• Typical Outdoor Water Meter Box
• Typical Outdoor Water Meter Pit
• Typical Water Meter Installation in Building
• U Bend Detail
• Water Main Anchors

GVW's metering program requires water meters on all services. Please see the Greater Vernon Water Metering - Bylaw No. 2731, 2019 under Bylaws in this section.

To ensure water remains clean and uncontaminated, GVW has a Cross Connection Control Program. Certain services at higher risk of introducing contaminates into the water system must install cross connection prevention devices as per the Regional District of North Okanagan Cross Connection Control Regulation Bylaw No. 2651, 2014. These devices prevent contaminates from flowing backward, in the rare but possible instances of reverse flow into the community water supply.