Editor:
Recently, many have commented on the lack of water, especially in these Stage 4 days, but few have suggested long-term measures to help reduce the demand for treated civic water. I believe our water managers should seriously consider the following:
• Change the local building code to require all new construction to include inground rainwater collection systems.
• Find ways to ensure that treated civic water is no longer used for agricultural purposes. Our water managers need to ensure that, in the near future, farms have self-sufficient water supply/storage. The SCRD should provide substantial financial assistance to make the existing farms water self-sufficient. Drill wells, build storage ponds, install storage tanks. However, if a particular piece of land cannot support or produce an adequate supply of water for the current agricultural practices, then the farmer must consider changing to a different type of agriculture.
• Other commercial bulk water users need to be encouraged to provide their own water source. Financial assistance from the SCRD would be appropriate.
Remember that reducing demand on the treated water system is the same as finding new water sources.
Leigh Seeton, Sechelt
