Editor:
Some three years ago, the SCRD installed water meters at seven homes – the very first in Sechelt. This was done in response to concerns that residents had noticed excessive amounts of ground water and water damage to their property. Within weeks of the installation, five leaks were discovered in these seven homes. The residents, upon being informed, repaired or replaced water lines to their homes at their own expense. In my case, one entire 70-foot line was replaced.
So maybe, just maybe, the lights can be turned on and the folks on the Coast can come to the realization that water meters are a necessity, not an option. In our little test, over a million litres of escapement took place in just 60 days.
This is a big job of enforcement and the SCRD is not equipped in my opinion to carry it out. When I questioned the most senior management, they suggested that the implementation of enforcement throughout the Coast would take years. The SCRD said at the time they would not enforce repairs of water leaks until one year after installation.
All of the homes within our little test area that failed had water lines that were over 25 years old. So if 70 per cent of the homes on our street failed, can you imagine how much water from Chapman Lake is wasted on the entire Sunshine Coast? Pretty serious stuff, leaky pipes.
Chuck Gould, Selma Park
