The Town of Gibsons will not be changing its policy on Stage 4 water restrictions in any of Gibsons’ three zones despite complaints from residents on the aquifer.
“While the Town has two sources of water for its three different zones, we in essence manage one water system,” chief administrative officer Emanuel Machado said. “In the principle of fairness we are treating every resident in Gibsons equally.”
Gibsons resident Audrey Owens contacted Coast Reporter to say that she thinks this policy of equal treatment is unfair.
“Fairness didn’t force people in zone three to boil water in solidarity with zones one and two when we were under that restriction,”
Owen said, referring to the June 2014 boil water advisory that affected about 75 per cent of Gibsons properties.
Owen raised the point that the aquifer is not in danger of running out of water.
“It is better to save water. The question is, how much, and to what purpose?” Owen asked. “Water saved in the aquifer is not helping anyone, and this system is killing gardens that feed people and give them pleasure.”
Machado said the Town would be holding a meeting in the fall about the efficiency and efficacy of the restrictions.
“I suspect that we will have to take into consideration a relatively unusual situation for the Town of Gibsons, being in Stage 4 restrictions,” Machado said. “I would be surprised if we didn’t see some change, but at this point that still remains to be seen.”
Zones one and two are serviced by the aquifer while zone three is serviced through the Sunshine Coast Regional District.
