Fonds MS 198;2002.040 - Wood Lake Improvement District fonds

The Wood Lake Water Co. Ltd. was formed in 1910 to take over the works and irrigation system of the Wood Lake Fruitlands Co. Ltd. At a March 19, 1964 meeting, a majority of the shareholders of the Wood Lake Water Co. agreed that the company had served its purpose and voted to dissolve it in favour of an improvement district. On May 4, 1964, the lands were incorporated into the Wood Lake Improvement District. One of the main reasons for the change was the fact that government money (through ARDA) was not available for private companies, but was available for improvement districts. By 1965, ARDA had accepted plans for rehabilitation of the water system. After some delay caused by a disagreement between the project manager and the engineer, the project commenced in April, 1967. Water for the new system became available in 1969 and the chlorinator was in service shortly after. With the promise of a reliable domestic water supply, properties were able to subdivide until the Agicultural Land Freeze was passed by the provincial government in 1973. By 1980, the system was near capacity. In 1983, the WLID agreed to a joint study regarding additional water supply and a possible amalgamation with the Oyama Irrigation District. On January 1, 1996, the WLID assumed the operation and management of the Oyama Water System on behalf of the District of Lake Country. This arrangement continued until the WLID itself became part of the municipality in 1998.