Editor:
Re: “Church Road well AAP set for June 5,” June 5.
Coasters have been clamouring for a fix to our water problem for years and to placate the masses the SCRD has come up with a cheap but very small solution.
The SCRD wants to increase its water supply by (maybe) one quarter at a cost of $9 million. That translates to about $35 more in taxes. While the cost isn’t big, neither is the reward. It’s a 30-year loan and only increases capacity by a fraction of what’s needed. After 30 years the Coast population will have increased by 6,500 and we’ll be no further ahead.
The SCRD has other well plans, which, if they proceed in this manner, will result in more loans and more taxes in dribs and drabs. This is simply a stopgap measure and will only delay the inevitable.
The Coast wants a solution to our water shortages, not simply a delay, and that’s what the SCRD is proposing. Previous governments have delayed and delayed and this board at least has a proposal, but it’s not practical nor long term. Well, the loan will be. I’m on a pension and don’t have much extra money but I’m paying $300 a year for recreation facilities I don’t use, so I’d find a way to pay $150 for a plentiful supply of water.
I visited hundreds of communities across Canada and the U.S. last year and how many had signs telling of the current water restrictions? None! What they are doing, I don’t know, but everyone else seems to have enough water for their needs but us.
We don’t need another study. We’ve done all the studies we need. We need to act.
If you are opposed to the SCRD using long-term borrowing to fund the Groundwater Investigation Phase 4 Church Road Well Field Project, you can submit an Elector Response Form to indicate your opposition.
Vicki Balak, Halfmoon Bay
