“Canada has the world’s largest source of fresh water.  But more and more, communities across the country are struggling to keep their drinking water clean and safe. Even here, where lakes and rivers are plentiful, we can’t take our fresh water for granted.”  Dr. Asit Mazumder, Biology Department, University of Victoria (Mazumder is a world leader in tracking the sources of chemical and microbial contamination of water. He’s known locally for his work with the Capital Regional District.)

What’s New at the Pump House?

Phase two of the system upgrade & improvement is almost complete.  Although every effort was made to maintain the water system during the work and to make improvements without service interruptions or degradation of service, there were some problems with service delivery.  Apologies go out to our neighbours who were inconvenienced or found themselves without water or with reduced water pressure for periods of time.  The good news is that, to the best of our knowledge, both issues have been resolved and we now have a much improved and safer water system.  Thank you for your patience and good humour!  Here’s what’s been done.

New Filtration and Treatment System:  As promised, a new filtration system has been installed.  It provides new and safer methods of cleaning Goudie Creek/SWW water and significantly lowers the amount of chlorine required.  The filtration now includes: a 5 micron sand filter, 2 – 1 micron cartridge filters and 3 ultra violet units.  Each filter has a different purpose:

Sand – Removes suspended particles to approximately 10 microns  

Cartridge Filters – Remove suspended particles to 5, and then 1 micron

Ultra Violet – Disables any remaining organic particles 

New Pumps Installed:  Two main pumps, working alternately, and one back-up pump have been installed to replace the antiquated equipment installed almost 30 years ago.  The pump system was not only antiquated, but replacement parts were virtually impossible to find.  Working with the contracted engineering firm, new pumps were sourced and tested.  After analysis and review, three new pumps were purchased – two installed as the main pumps and a third as back-up in case of the primary pump failure or power outage.  The new pumps are now online.

New electrical/Back-up generator: The emergency pump, a submersible, can be run with a 6500 watt generator which will be in place by mid September.

The process has not been without its problems, and some of these are still being resolved.  Here’s what we’re still working on.  

Backwash/Filter cleaning:  At present we have had to dig a large sand pit to accept the water that cleans the filtration system – the system was not originally designed to work this way.  We are in talks with the engineering firm who designed the system (as required by the Comptroller of Water and VIHA) to see how the system can be modified to change the backwash/cleaning protocol.

Water Pressure:  Due to a design flaw (by the Engineering Firm), the pipes to the new filtration system were constricting water flow, resulting in water pressure loss as experienced by a few water users.  We have now made changes to to accommodate more water flow and increased pressure.

Storm Damage and Changes to Pump House Access

As you may recall, during heavy rainfall this past spring a culvert on Denewood Place collapsed flooding the area, making a crater in the road and causing a large quantity of gravel to enter Goudie Creek and the pre-filtration pond at the pump house.  Aside from causing water pressure and service loss for a number of residents, the system was derailed for months.  After weeks of work the system operator and his team were able to get it back on line, but the damage was significant.  It was necessary to shore up the weir, putting in a road to the site so that the work could be carried out, and to plant trees and shrubs to replace lost vegetation and protect the creek banks.

Through the work of the administration we received reimbursement from PEP for much of the damage to the system, however, to date, neither Mainroad Contractors nor the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure have accepted responsibility for the damage and for the outstanding balance. 

You will also recall that, on Woodhaven Road at the site of Canada Post Mailboxes, the placement of the mailboxes over our water pipes caused pipes to fail, resulting in damage to the water system.  Although we have contacted Canada Post regarding repair costs, we have yet to receive a response on this issue.

Water Availability

You may not know it but water availability is very low.  All over the Capital Regional District, the Island and the Province there is concern over water quality and availability.  

Vancouver experienced the highest water use EVER using 2.5 billion litres of water the week of July 27, 2009;  (Source:  Times Colonist Article – August 5, 2009)

CRD has placed stage one water restrictions in effect May 1 to September 30, 2009; (Source:  CRD Web Site/Water Watch – August 2009)

The Sooke Reservoir is only 71.6% full (Source:  CRD Web Site/Water Watch – August 2009)

MacLean’s Magazine reports, “From Tofino to Tucson, hydrologists, limnogists and government officials are reporting similar climatic trends:  a longer dry season, less snow, more rain and earlier spring melts.  ‘Half the annual flow of the Fraser (River) now occurs nine days early.  These shifting climate patterns are changing ‘where and how’ water falls and flows eroding our ability to manage water for populations.”  (Source:  MacLean’s – Water Fights July 6, 2009)

Sheringham Water Works, Ltd reports water use in August as follows:  an average of 40,200 imperial gallons per day. 

Pay Your Bill Using PayPal

Did you know that you can now pay your water bill on line using PayPal?  Go to the SWW website and click on “Pay Water Bill”.  August payments are due and payable now.  Please pay your bill promptly as SWW needs your payment to pay its expenses and keep the water flowing.

Emergency Preparedness

A SWW Contact Information Form was mailed to every water user on the SWW water system.  Many of you have already filled it out and returned it.  This information is vital in case of an emergency or the need to contact water users urgently and is a requirement of the Water Comptroller.  If you have not already filled out the form and returned it, please do so as soon as possible.

Watershed Protection:

In an effort to keep your water clean and safe, SWW has undertaken a program to identify and protect the Goudie Creek watershed.  Unlike the CRD watershed which is 90+% protected, our watershed is filled with minimally controlled developed property.  Pleas to developers, without the support of Province or local government, have fallen on deaf ears, and development continues in our watershed.  SWW has placed signs in some areas and will commence a program of contacting residents of the watershed to ask for their cooperation in protecting our domestic water supply.

Secondary Suites:

The Regional Director and CRD have undertaken a process to change existing OCPs and zoning bylaws to allow secondary suites in auxiliary buildings on properties as small as one acre.  Two of our board members sent a letter to the Editor of the Rural Observer outlining the effects of this proposal on the SWW service area.  In part it states:

“In the Sheringham Water Works service area, the water license granted by the Province only allows service to one residence per lot – that’s all the water the system legally may take from the creek.  If auxiliary buildings were to spring up in the subdivision, we would be unable to provide adequate water to service them.

Equally as concerning to anyone who lives in rural areas of the JDFEA is the overall lack of water.  A myriad of reports authored by qualified experts confirm limited or unknown water availability – whether it is surface water in creeks, underground water from aquifers, or wells.  Many in our communities have water trucked in during summer months when their wells run dry.  Just look at Tofino, a small rural community on the island’s coast – right now they have water restrictions in place for their residents.”

(from Water Water Everywhere as sent to the Rural Observer – August, 2009)  Should you have questions, please use the following link:  http://www.crd.bc.ca/jdf/

** SWW Needs Your Help – Enclosed are three postcards to CRD officials expressing 

    opposition to the proposed bylaw.  If you agree with the position as it applies to the 

    SWW service area – please sign, stamp and mail these postcards today.  Thank you.  

Shareholder Annual Meeting Planned

The Annual General Meeting of Sheringham Water Works Ltd. will take place September 22, 2009 at 7:30 in the Shirley Community Hall.  All water users are invited to attend.  (However, only shareholders with voting shares will vote.)

Water Saving Tips

Use water restricted plumbing fixtures such as low flow showerheads and low flush toilets.

Repair leaking faucets and “running” toilets.

Run your dishwasher and clothes washer only when completely full and not at peak times.  Peak water use is from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. during the week, and all day on weekends.  

Shut off water when brushing your teeth.

Water your garden early in the morning or at night to minimize water loss through evaporation.

Conserve water when the weather is dry and warm – so far we have not had to bring in watering restrictions – please consider your neighbours and our precious water supply.

Company Information

Company Name: Sheringham Water Works, BC Ltd

Local Mailing address: 2876 Woodhaven Road, Shirley, BC V9Z 1G6 

Billing address: SWW c/o Sterling & Gascoigne 

1560 Fort Street, Victoria, BC V8S 5J2 

250-480-0558

Web Site: www.sheringhamwaterworks.org

Email address: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

More information:  System Administrator & System Operator, Robert Vanveen 646-2213

“A Community Owned and Operated Water Utility”