Sheringham Water Works believes that there is a serious threat to our drinking water and urge you to make your views knows in order to try to stop this from happening. 

The owners of Lot 113 wish to place a septic field within a few feet of the edge of bank of Goudie Creek and are seeking a variance which would allow this. Please click on “send an email” and send your views to Mr. Hicks and all members of Committee A.  It only takes one click.

Important update on Lot #113 Water Safety Issue - Please read the status report below and help protect your local water. 

Why the concern?

1) The lot owners are requesting that a variance be granted that would allow for a septic system to be installed much closer to Goudie Creek than present regulations allow.

2) The system being proposed is dependent on a power supply and constant maintenance to function as designed.

3) The creek bank is subject to erosion as demonstrated by the washout of two years ago.

4) All septic systems can and will fail over time.

5) SWW is regulated by The Drinking Water Act. The act requires that we deliver safe clean water. We feel that in order to meet that requirement we need to do whatever possible to protect our water supply.

6) The risk to the health of our water users must be the primary concern of those involved in the approval process. 

Short History: 

Local Lot

A lot on Denewood Place in the SWW service area has been vacant since the development of the area.  In the last ten years, at least twice the owners have asked to develop the property.  The Land Use Committee, advisory to the Regional Director, both times denied the request because of drinking water safety issues.  Then Regional Director Erik Lund supported the Land Use Committee.

New development application and variance

Just recently, the owners came back to the Land Use Committee, now having what has been described as a more development friendly membership, and made a similar development request.  This time asking for installation of a septic system as close as 4 feet from our water source;  Goudie Creek.

How the committee voted

Our current representative to the Land Use Committee, George Miller, voted in direct opposition to the health and safety concerns of our community and our water system.  The staff or members of the Committee never contacted the water system before the vote to find out the facts of the situation.  No one asked any questions about water safety or the effect on water quality during the short hearing.   The Land Use Committee on a vote of 3 to 2, voted to allow development of lot #113 and to install a septic system which would be situated perilously close to your drinking water source

The Shirley representative, George Miller, voted in favor of this development after receiving letter after letter from SWW, numerous ratepayers and the neighbours explaining why development of Lot #113 would be detrimental to the health and wellbeing of the community. 

To the CRD for approval

The next step was to go to Committee LUC “A” at the CRD.

Lead by Harold Shipton, SWW Board members met with Mr. Hicks requesting he vote NO on the development permit and variance.  He said he wanted to table the issue so he could explore buying the land.  SWW Board members, in the face of his comments, requested he vote NO.

Significant and stiff opposition

After over 65 opposition letters from you and your neighbours to the Regional Director and members of the Committee, including another letter from SWW, all asking for this matter to be defeated and finally finished, Mike Hicks asked the committee to table the issue.  The committee tabled the issue until some time in the future.

Mike Hicks said he was working on a way to use $100,000 of taxpayer money to buy the land.

SWW and the various ratepayers asked for a NO vote and Mr. Hicks choose to continue the issue and keep the permit and variance alive for the last few months instead of resolving this question for the Shirley community and SWW water users.

Current Situation: Nothing has happened in the last few weeks.  The upcoming election has caused this issue to remain status quo for the time being.

Other actions taken

SWW contacted Victoria Health Authority ( VHA) to request an investigation of the proposed system. It is our understanding that the system has been changed and that VHA can only act after there is a problem. The approval of systems rests with the CRD. 

Five presentations from members of the community were made at the CRD meeting in Victoria voicing concerns over the possible health effects of locating a septic system close to Goudie Creek.

Candidates in the upcoming election have been made aware of our concerns regarding the protection of the water supply.

More Information:  Should you want more information, please go to sheringhamwaterworks.org and click on the staff report for more detailed information from the committee.

Please click on “send an email” and send your views to Mr. Hicks and all members of Committee A.  It only takes one click. 

Should you want more background, please review SWW’s letter, CRD Staff report, and other information provided on this page.

You may also send a letter, telephone or come to the meeting to express your views. Anyone wishing to speak at the CRD meeting must register by Monday September 12^th.  A directory of contact information is available here.

Please act today - the safety and quality of your drinking water depends on it.

Should you want to write and send your own letter or call the members of the committee, here is a roster with members addresses and phone numbers:

A”  Juan de Fuca EA, Mick Hicks, Regional Director

Juan de Fuca Electoral Area Regional Director #2-6868 West Coast Rd. PO Box 283, Sooke V9Z 0S9 

250-642-1500 (CRD Office Phone) 250-642-5274 (CRD Office Fax) This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Colwood, David Saunders, Mayor

Municipal Hall 3300 Wishart Road Colwood V9C 1R1

250-478-5541 (Hall Phone) 250-478-7516 (Hall Fax) 250-213-9407(Cell Phone)  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Langford Denise Blackwell, Counsillor

Municipal Hall 2nd Fl., 877 Goldstream Ave. Victoria V9B 2X8

250-478-7882 (Hall Phone) 250-478-7864 (Hall Fax) 250-478-6169 (Home Phone) 250-298-6354 (Home Fax)  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Metchosin, John Ranns, Mayor 

Municipal Hall 4450 Happy Valley Rd. Victoria V9C 3Z3

250-474-3167 (Hall Phone) 250-474-6298 (Hall Fax) 250-478-3446 (Home Phone) This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Sooke, Janet Evans, Mayor

Municipal Hall 2205 Otter Pt. Road Sooke V9Z 1J2

250-642-1634 (Hall Phone) 250-642-0541 (Hall Fax) 250-642-5532 (Home Phone) 250-415-6003 (Cell Phone)  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it