A financial reprieve – of sorts – for the farms which use the failing Noble Creek Irrigation System in Westsyde.

Kamloops Council has voted to pay three-quarters of the costs for a temporary irrigation system to be established for next year’s growing season, with Noble Creek users covering the remaining 25-per cent.

This is dependent on whether the 41 users decide they want to be part of a unified system, as City estimates say it could mean a 100 per cent increase in rates for users of the irrigation system users.

A report by Urban Systems said the cost of the setting up and using the temporary pumping system for next year could be between $500,000 and $700,000, depending on the city’s procurement process.

This year, NCIS customer rates totalled $62,677 – an average of $1,528 per customer. Their share of the temporary pumping system could cost anywhere between $125,000 and $175,000, while Kamloops taxpayers could be looking a 2 to 3 per cent increase in water rates to cover their share of the costs.

IF I understood the ~90 minute long discussion correctly, #Kamloops council has voted in favour of Option 2 to pay for a temporary pump to supply the Noble Creek Irrigation System next year.

They’ve also voted to reconsider the 25% rate hike to 2024 water rates passed last week. pic.twitter.com/MkgbQZw758

— Victor Mario Kaisar (@supermario_47) November 8, 2023

Addressing council on Tuesday, Adam Woodward with Woodward Cidery says the users have also formed their own society to create long-term solutions to their water needs.

“We just need to be really smart in how we do it. I think it is doable with the payouts that have been provided there,” said Woodward. “Like I say, we just need a little bit more help to get across the finish line.”

Council has also voted to continue decommissioning at-risk portions of the Noble Creek system, while also walking-back an earlier vote to increase water rates by 25 per cent.

It comes as Kamloops council has voted 5 to 4 to revisit the sizeable increase in water rates for next year, with expectations they will try to spread out the costs over the next few years to soften the blow.