Editor:
It’s ironic that during the week the Sechelt Water Resource Centre (sewage treatment plant) received its Gold LEED designation in recognition of it being a nationally recognized award-winning project, the SCRD declares Stage 4 water use restrictions. Where is the irony in that?
Well, the WRC produces two million litres of reusable water on a daily basis, which is then pumped out into Trail Bay. This water would be perfect for irrigation of Sechelt’s parks, gardens, boulevards, and yes, even the totally neglected landscaping around our award-winning Water Resource Centre! Don’t take my word for it; drive down to Surf Circle and see for yourself.
The district started preparing a new “Water Conservation” plan in 2015 and Mayor Milne alluded to this beneficial goal when he accepted the award in Ottawa in 2016. Why has this not been completed, and why has the reclaimed water not been utilized? Also, what happened to the public filling station (as in 2015) on Ebbtide; why has that, as of this writing, not been put back into operation?
The problem with all of these initiatives is not the cost nor the technological complexity. It comes down to the will of our elected officials – “where there’s a will, there’s a way.”
One might conclude from all this that a purposeful neglect of the WRC is at play, but then it would be foolish to concoct such a juvenile and vindictive conspiracy – wouldn’t it?
Geoff White, Sechelt
