Editor:
Re: High water users and volumetric billing. In the Nov. 22 paper it was reported that less that five per cent of residential water users are using 30 per cent of total consumption on the South Pender and Chapman systems.
No explanation was provided to explain how this is occurring, in which district area it is happening or what is being done to correct it. How long has this been going on for? Has this been discovered recently with the installation of meters in the Sechelt District?
It is astounding that almost one third of our treated water is being used by so few. This results in a severe impact on our dry season shortages and our capital needs to fund new sources or storage. Has this been the cause of our water shortage problems in past years?
If this is due to leakage, the losses must be addressed immediately. If the property owners cannot resolve the problem within 30 days, the water supply to these properties should be cut off. Or if it’s simpler, the SCRD should repair the leaks and place a lien on the properties.
If the cause is otherwise, such as commercial use in a residential property, then volumetric billing should be applied immediately.
The answers to these questions need to be provided by the SCRD as this impacts all rate payers on the two water systems. Especially with the high-water utility rate increases being proposed.
Kevin Rea, Roberts Creek
