Sechelt council voted June 5 to allow the public to use the district’s non-potable water source now that the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) has invoked Stage 2 conservation measures.
The idea was brought forward by councillors Alton Toth and Brenda Rowe.
“Given the water shortages anticipated for this year, and the snowpack in the Chapman and Edwards watersheds, residents will need an alternative source of water made available for their gardens and plants, where they have the capacity to self-haul limited quantities of water,” their motion said.
During previous droughts the district has made groundwater from its Ebbtide Street property available for residents, but only at Stage 4. District crews also use the water for baskets and planters.
The motion asked staff to “activate the publicly accessible non-potable water station once the SCRD declares Stage 2 water conservation,” a measure that is expected June 7.
It would also specify “signage be posted at the water station indicating the source of the water, the non-potable nature of the water, and recommended uses for the water to avoid direct human contact.”
The motion got unanimous approval, and at the suggestion of councillor Tom Lamb, the district will be installing a meter at the non-potable water station to track how much gets used.
Darwin Kutney, director of operations and engineering, told council that in all the time district crews have been using the water the source has not dried up during droughts.
