Water: Getting the facts before we make decisions!

Water is one of the most talked about issues I hear about when listening to residents in Cowichan Bay. People are asking important questions about the reliability of our water supply, ongoing costs associated with water supply, water quality, the capacity of existing systems, and what continued development could mean for all four.

I share those concerns.

This isn’t simply a question of whether we have water underground. We also need to consider whether our existing water systems have the capacity to reliably serve the homes and businesses connected to them.

Some systems are already at, or close to, their current capacity. That doesn’t necessarily mean there are no options available, but it does mean we need to understand the limitations before making decisions that place additional demand on them.

One of the first things I believe we should determine is whether those systems can reasonably be upgraded. If they can, we need clear answers about the cost, how much additional capacity an upgrade would actually provide, how long that capacity would last, and how it would be funded.

That last question is particularly important.

If new development creates the need for significant infrastructure expansion, we need to carefully consider how those costs are allocated. Existing residents should not simply be handed the bill for infrastructure expansion primarily required to accommodate new growth.

Infrastructure, however, is only part of the equation.

We also need reliable information about the water source itself.

How much water can our aquifers sustainably provide? Are groundwater levels changing? Are there areas where existing wells are experiencing problems? What effect could additional development have on neighbouring wells? And are there risks to water quality that we need to address?

If we don’t have enough information to confidently answer those questions, then obtaining that information should come before making major long-term decisions.

That could mean better groundwater monitoring, updated capacity studies, water-quality testing and additional technical work in areas where the available information is incomplete.

It also means recognizing that development doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing proposition.

Where water capacity remains uncertain, a cautious approach may mean allowing smaller or incremental development that existing systems and water supplies can demonstrably support while further studies are completed. As better information becomes available, future decisions can then be based on evidence rather than assumptions.

We should also be looking beyond capacity.

Protecting groundwater recharge areas, identifying potential sources of contamination, encouraging conservation and considering the cumulative effects of development all need to be part of responsible water management.

Most importantly, residents deserve transparency.

Water studies, capacity information, monitoring results and the estimated costs of infrastructure improvements should be understandable and readily available to the public. People should be able to see the same information decision-makers are using.

I believe responsible development and protecting our water supply can go hand in hand.

But the order matters.

First, understand what our water sources and infrastructure can sustainably support. Then determine what improvements are practical and financially responsible. And finally, make development decisions that reflect that evidence.

We shouldn’t wait until there is a serious water problem to start asking these questions.

We should be asking them now.