Public Works
Public Works maintains community roads, parks, buildings, and essential services to keep spaces safe, functional, and accessible. We oversee key facilities and public areas, coordinate projects and communications, and ensure reliable operations for both members and staff at OKIB. Through our Water Services, we manage community water systems, including treatment, storage, and conservation efforts, and our garbage and recycling services support a clean and well-maintained community. Public Works extends our garbage and recycling services to some non-member areas, as part of our responsibility in helping keep the community clean and maintained.
Maintenance
Public Works is responsible for maintaining Band roads, parks, and buildings to support safe and functional community spaces. This includes ongoing road maintenance and coordination with the Communications team to ensure community members are informed about roadwork and building projects. The department also maintains all Band buildings to ensure safe and reliable workplaces for staff and services for members.
- Komasket Park – Arbour – Behind PWH 11505 Westside Road
- Smitken
- Mudhole
- Six Mile Playground
- Head of the Lake Hall & Public Safety
- 118 Head of the Lake Road (Hall is the upper building & Public Safety is the lower building)
- Health and Wellness Building: Clinic, Harm Reduction
- Band Office and Council Chambers:
- Band Administration, Finance, HR
- Bluebird Building: Foot Clinic, Youth Activities, Elder’s Activities, 5 Elder Units
- Child and Family Services (O’Keefe Ranch Office and Duck Lake Office)
- Daycare
- CIS
- Public Works and Housing
- Fire Hall
- New Horizons
- Territorial Stewardship Department
- Lands Department
- Social Development
- Coming Soon!
Water Systems
OKIB Water Services is responsible for maintaining and monitoring the community’s water systems to ensure safe, reliable drinking water for all members connected to OKIB water systems. The department manages three main water systems, including the Whiteman Creek system, Six Mile system, and the smaller Round Lake, Madeline Lake, and Salmon River systems.
Water from these systems is pumped from groundwater wells, treated at the water treatment facilities, and then stored in reservoirs before being distributed throughout the community. The reservoirs provide storage for daily water use and help maintain water availability during emergencies, including fire protection. Groundwater systems are generally more resilient during periods of hot weather and short-term drought because the water is stored underground and protected from evaporation. However, groundwater is not unlimited and must be carefully managed to ensure a reliable supply for homes, businesses, agriculture, and emergency services.
The Head of Lake water system is supplied through the Six Mile water treatment plant.
Smaller water systems that do not have reservoirs, Round Lake and Salmon River, pump water from ground wells to pressure tanks then directly out to the community. Madeline Lake follows the same process except the water passes through filters after being pumped from the ground well. Surface water systems, such as lakes and reservoirs, can be affected more quickly by low snowpack, reduced stream flows, and prolonged dry conditions.
Water Restrictions
Water conservation efforts help protect and maintain the long-term reliability of OKIB’s water systems. The Water Department monitors water usage and begins conservation efforts when usage reaches approximately 1,000 m³ (1,000,000 litres) per day and well pumps are operating for more than 12 hours per day.
Reducing water usage allows well pumps more time to rest, helping extend their lifespan and supporting the natural recharge of underground aquifers.
Water restrictions may be introduced to help maintain sufficient water supplies and protect the community’s water systems.
Restrictions may be needed when:
- Water demand exceeds normal seasonal levels.
- Drought conditions affect available water supplies.
- Reservoir levels fall below target levels.
- Equipment failures reduce system capacity.
- Emergency situations require additional conservation measures.
Water Restriction Stages
Community members are encouraged to practice responsible water use by:
- Watering lawns and gardens only during permitted hours.
- Avoiding unnecessary water waste.
- Checking irrigation systems for leaks.
- Using water-efficient watering practices.
During Stage 2 restrictions:
- Odd-numbered addresses may water on Tuesdays and Saturdays only.
- Even-numbered addresses may water on Wednesdays and Sundays only.
- No outdoor watering is permitted between 10:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.
- Automatic irrigation systems may operate between 12:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. on designated watering days.
- Manual sprinklers may be used between 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. and 12:00 a.m. on designated watering days.
- Hand watering is permitted outside daytime restrictions.
Along with Stages 1 and 2, additional restrictions may include:
- Reduced or prohibited lawn watering.
- Shortened irrigation schedules.
- Restrictions on filling pools.
- Additional limits on non-essential outdoor water use.
Restrictions may include:
- No lawn watering.
- No irrigation except for essential food production.
- No filling pools, ponds, or water features.
- Strict limits on non-essential water use.
Garbage and Recycling
Public Works provides garbage and recycling services to help keep the community clean, safe, and running smoothly. OKIB Garbage and Recycling services are also extended to non-member communities:
- Parker Cove
- Newport
- Mary Emerald Beach
In these areas, garbage collection is included as part of lease payments or homeowners’ association arrangements, where fees are managed within those agreements.
Garbage is collected every Monday, with pickup moving to Tuesday on statutory holidays and recycling is collected every second Wednesday. All recycling will need to be in clear bags for pick up, blue bags will be left behind.
Please note that collection schedules change each year, so residents are encouraged to check for the most up-to-date information.
- Writing paper
- Envelopes, newspaper
- Magazines, catalogues
- Flattened cardboard
- Tied up or taped in bundles
- Plastic containers#1-7
- Rinsed tin, aluminum cans
- Styrofoam
- Used tissue, napkins, paper towels
- Spray cans
- Glass jars, bottles, motor oil containers
- No antifreeze containers of any sort
- Including windshield wiper fluid containers
- Grocery bags of any color
- Kitchen stretch wrap (saran wrap)
- Garbage bags of any color
- Over wrap, plastic film
- No medical waste of any sort (mask, gloves)
Meet the Team
Water Department
Roger Lewis – Sr. Water Operator Contractor
Darien Ottesen – Sr. Water Operator
Amber Louis – Water Technician
Public Works and Housing
Pernell Marchand – Public Works Supervisor
Darryl Marchand – Maintenance
Kyle Point – Maintenance
Dereck Wollf – Maintenance
Kieran Davies – Maintenance
James Bonneau – Labourer
Tyler Swanson – Labourer
Tyrone Holmes – Laboure
Contact
General inquiries
olhreception@okanagan.org
Water Inquiries
water@okanagan.org
Roads, Parks and Building Inquiries
pwsupervisor@okanagan.org