Chapman Creek, the Sunshine Coast's largest natural supplier of drinking water, is changing as a result of climate change, according to UBC environmental researcher Mathieu Beaulieu.
After studying the effects of a possible future lower snowfall on Roberts Creek and Stephens Creek, Beaulieu presented his results to the Sunshine Coast Regional District's (SCRD) infrastructure committee April 8.
He explained that Chapman Creek will become much more similar to Roberts Creek, with less water in the spring and summer. Beaulieu also emphasized that to control water demand growth in the future, an integrated water conservation approach must be developed now, stating water metering would be good way to encourage people to conserve water.
Roberts Creek director Donna Shugar asked Beaulieu about the implications on residents who use a well water system. Beaulieu said it was difficult for him to answer that question.
"I don't think it's that serious, but I'm not an expert on the topic of groundwater," he said. "If you pump lower than the aquifer, you will get water, but do you think that may have an impact on the streams? It might."
The SCRD, currently working on a water conservation strategy, had many questions for Beaulieu, but due to time constraints, asked him to present the rest of his research at a yet to be scheduled special watershed infrastructure meeting.
Tipping fee
A lively debate was sparked among directors over the matter of a landfill tipping fee increase.
Directors asked staff to look into the establishment of an eco fee on landfill tipping fees, where funds raised from that portion would be used solely for the implementation of zero waste initiatives, identified in the solid waste management plan.
Dion Whyte, SCRD manager of sustainable services, suggested the committee forge ahead with a fee increase of $10 per tonne, but without the establishment of an eco fee. Citing this year's data as showing a downward trend in landfill tonnage -tonnage received at the Sechelt Landfill in January, February and the first half of March was the lowest for these months since 2003 -Whyte said it would be difficult to know if this trend would continue or be an anomaly. He suggested the committee reconsider an eco fee in 2012.
Shugar said she felt tipping fees were a slippery slope, and a workable methodology needs to be figured out. She asked if a mixed eco/tipping fee split was possible, with $5 from the $10 increase being used for the eco fee.
Elphinstone director Lorne Lewis expressed concern over raising any tipping fee, saying it might instigate illegal dumping.
"You're sending stuff into the forest every time you do that," Lewis stated.
The committee passed a motion to create a split eco/tipping fee. Further discussion is to be continued on the matter before implementation.
