Editor:
With regards to the Sunshine Coast Regional District’s notice of borrowing $6 million for water meters, I have some questions.
The thrust of their campaign seems to be that we can detect water leaks more readily with water meters than can be done without them. Several years ago, when the water mains were being upgraded along Highway 101 across from Monkey Tree Lane in Sechelt, I spoke to the supervisor asking what work was being done. He advised me that the old water mains were leaking and were being replaced. My question is how did they find that the mains were leaking without water meters?
My next observation is that water meters will be placed on the side of the home of the property owner. The meter will then be able to account for any water that enters the house but will not be able to detect any leaks that may occur before the meter. Since a leak in the house would be easily detected by the owner or the owner would know if the toilet or sink is constantly running, how will the water meter be of any help?
Finally, why isn’t the $6 million being used to upgrade our reservoirs? Once the water meters have been installed, the District of Sechelt will still be short of water and will still have to find even more money to do what should be done in the first place, upgrade the reservoirs. Other than our local government being able to add another cost (tax) for using our water, there isn’t any benefit to installing water meters.
Gordon Bader, Sechelt
