Lister Water System

System Description and Governance

This system was first developed in 1929 and underwent significant upgrades in the 60s, 70s, and 80s. It was converted to a Regional District service in 1982 and is currently owned and operated by the Regional District.

Given the evolving regulatory framework, complexity of potential liabilties inherent in water system management, and the lack of recent community volunteers, the Lister Commission of Management was dissolved.  A Water System Community Advisory Committee will be established if there is interest from the community.  The Regional District would like to thank all past Commission members for their service.

Annual Drinking Water Information

Size and Number of Connections

The system services 196 active connections.

Location

The system is located in Lister, within RDCK Electoral Area B.

Source

The Lister water system used to derive source water from Lister Creek (also known as Floyd Creek), which is designated as a Community Watershed. For years, water quality testing indicated the presence of low level Coliform bacteria and E.coli.

In late 2012, the Regional District connected the system to a new groundwater well source. This new source has contributed to reducing the danger of contamination by wildlife and environmental sources.

Treatment

In 2014 the RDCK implemented chlorine disinfection of the Lister Water System, which resulted in rescinding of the Boil Water Advisory that had been in place since 2012.

Storage

The water system has a closed steel reservoir tank with a capacity of 885,000 liters. 

Distribution System

The system includes approximately 24 kilometres of PVC and HDPE pipe installed mostly in the 1970s and 1980s.

Fire-Fighting

Existing fire-fighting infrastructure includes three standpipes; however, the system does not meet established guidelines for fire protection.

Significant Issues

The Lister Water System has high water consumption compared to the national averages and most other Regional District water services. Single family dwelling water accounts are for domestic use only, and includes irrigation of up to one acre. No commercial or agricultural water usages are permitted for single family dwelling accounts. Any agricultural water usage applications are currently not being approved.

Plans for Future Upgrades

Most of the water system was constructed of HDPE or PVC pipe that does not meet current standards for domestic water system usage.  The Lister Water System Asset Management Plan identifies a backlog of about $3.2 million in waterline replacements due to this non-standard pipe. In response, a system assessment for the Lister Water System was completed in 2019. The assessment, funded by the Lister Water System reserves fund, addressses watermain sizes and capacities, and potential pipe replacement. 

Related to the assessment, a preliminary study has also been undertaken to determine the feasibility of supplying water to neighbouring water systems. The reports are found HERE. 

Pipe breakage history can be used to help assess pipe reliability and replacement timing. Some areas of Lister are subject to a higher degree of breaks. These areas are typically smaller diameter pipes with lower pressure ratings. These areas will be given higher priority for replacement in the near future.

Water Quality Monitoring

Asset Management Planning

An Asset Management Plan is complete and updated annually.  The Asset Management Plan identifies required asset replacements over a 25 year and 100 year period and identifies annual contributions to water system reserves required to fund the replacements.

The content on this page was last updated August 15 2023 at 8:37 AM