Editor:
I am writing in response to the increasing number of complaints about our water supply here on the Sunshine Coast. We all know that we are in deep trouble and the SCRD does not appear to understand our dire situation.
I moved to the Sunshine Coast about 12 years ago. We had water restrictions then, when the population and the amount of tourism was much lower than it is now. In the meantime, the various municipal councils have issued hundreds of development permits, as evidenced by the current building boom. Some of the councils even pride themselves in being very successful in issuing large numbers of building permits.
I am not against development. Other people should be allowed to move here and live the “good life” like we do. However, we cannot sustain this development without a better water supply. Fooling around with the Chapman Lake water intake will not solve any problems. We need a brand new water source, which guarantees enough water for the next 50 years.
Instead, the SCRD has the gumption to set water usage targets (which we, of course, exceeded) and then scolds us for using too much water. How dare we use water every day – bad people!
Message to the SCRD: “You have long ago forfeited the mandate to dictate how water is used and how much!”
Don’t get me wrong: I am pro-conservation. I am in favour of water meters, as this enables water leak detection throughout our aging distribution system. I am such a cheapo that I even turn off the tap when I brush my teeth. I allow myself to take a shower once every seven days, but only if my wife urges me to. But, when it comes to my garden and veggie patch – SCRD, listen to this – the war is on. I will simply not stop watering my plants. Please call me a revolutionary or water terrorist, I don’t care. I bought this property a long time ago and I will maintain it to my standards. I did not create this mess and it is up to you, the SCRD, to fix it.
Maybe we can create enough of a crisis, which will force the SCRD into action. Let them truck water when the supply runs out. Let them hear the roar of the residents demanding water and then let them be voted off promptly in the next election
So, SCRD, please get off the pot and do something about our stressed water supply. Put on your thinking cap, come up with a solution and come up with one now! Maybe we could use the leftover water from BC Hydro at Clowhom Lake. We could then get our friendly neighbours, the Albertans, to build a nice water pipeline down to Sechelt. They have plenty of time and expertise in this sort of thing.
We are only months away from next summer’s sequel, when perhaps we will not be so lucky to get a huge snow pack and a cold spring and see Stage 4 in July.
Urs Pfaeffli, Halfmoon Bay
