Editor:
Re: “Water whiners – stop,” Letters, May 12.
I commend Carole Rubin for her water catchment. I too have been thinking of what I can do to preserve or produce water, especially with water meter$ on the way. However, although I agree that for the moment we are “privileged beyond belief with fresh water availability,” that window appears to be closing rapidly. It may not seem so with the recent weather, but how long before we become like California? Recent droughts weren’t that long ago and I’m sure we’ll have many more. So many people live within a stone’s throw of a massive body of (salt) water. It seems ironic to have droughts. After some research, I learned of a new type of desalination (salt water to fresh)/ reverse osmosis machine that, unlike its predecessors, is portable. No install! And can produce up to 140 litres per hour. These “Rain Man Water Makers” also start at half the cost of the cheapest, installed versions. Not quite as cheap as a rain catchment, but perhaps done in conjunction. If everyone on the Coast who was near salt water or a dodgy well, was using one of these methods or both, I bet we wouldn’t have drought issues. If the SCRD is offering rebates on toilets that merely conserve water, I really think these should be on a rebate program to inspire people to make their own water and get off the grid, so to speak. If they are concerned about water consumption and conservation, this would be a great start. Carole is right, there will come a day when all we’ll be able to water is edibles. And if the SCRD is going to start charging for their water, I’ll make my own. I’m sure my Rain Man will pay itself off eventually.
Erik Popivich, Madeira Park
