The following information is provided to answer your questions regarding North Cowichan Council’s intention to proceed with a local area service by borrowing up to $1.75 Million to construct the Chemainus wells and ancillary infrastructure for the Chemainus Water Area (see map).
What improvements are proposed to the Chemainus water system?
The objective of the project is to provide a new, high-quality well water supply for Chemainus and includes the following proposed improvements to the water system: 1) two community groundwater wells drilled on municipal land on the North side of the Chemainus River near the Trans Canada Highway, 2) a pump house including chlorinator and a four-kilometre water pipeline along the highway from the well site to Henry Road, and 3) two 500,000 gallon concrete reservoirs off Copper Canyon Road. The system will become operational in 2010.
Why are these improvements needed?
These improvements are required to comply with current water quality requirements set by the Vancouver Island Health Authority (VIHA). They are not needed to satisfy our current water volume demands. Especially in the Fall, Winter and Spring, the water from the current Banon Creek Reservoir is subject to turbidity and contamination from upland sources resulting in the water quality falling below the acceptable standard set by VIHA. The water system has had 6 boil water advisories between November 16, 2006 and May 5, 2009. We believe it is essential for Chemainus residents to have water that is clean, safe and healthy.
How long has North Cowichan been working on this project?
In 1976, the Provincial government conducted a groundwater research project for the Chemainus River aquifer, including drilling test wells and testing the wells on the present site. It was recommended that these wells provide future water supply for Chemainus. From the late 1980s to 2001, various independent studies were undertaken, all confirming these wells as a good source of water for Chemainus. In 1992, North Cowichan purchased the 10 acre property containing these wells. The Municipality applied for a BC / Canada Infrastructure grant in 2001 and was awarded the grant of $2,414,596 in May 2003. The Environmental Assessment process, including extensive aquifer monitoring with 13 wells and river monitoring with 3 river gauges, occurred from 2003 to 2009 and is required to be continued for at least 3 years after the wells start up.
Were other options considered?
North Cowichan considered a water treatment facility to treat the present source of water as an alternative to this ground water well supply, but the construction costs of such a facility are estimated to be $10 Million dollars to build and $0.5 to $0.8 Million per year to operate. We have also conducted studies to try to find a suitable well source nearer to the Chemainus water system to reduce the distance we need to pump the water and this is the closest suitable location.
Are all required approvals in place, other than the loan authorization?
Yes, all other required approvals are in place. The key approvals that have been received are the Federal and Provincial environmental impact assessment certificates.
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Has the Halalt First Nation been involved in this process?
The Municipality held numerous meetings between 2003 and 2008 with Halalt First Nation regarding this project, including an Open House held on Halalt lands.
Why is the Municipality not doing a Watershed Management Plan first?
There is only a very small portion of land within Municipal boundaries that is in this watershed. Most of the river and watershed areas are within the Cowichan Valley Regional District (CVRD). In reviewing the project, both the Federal and Provincial environmental assessment offices determined that there is no substantive evidence that groundwater extraction at the proposed well field would degrade the Chemainus River Watershed. However, the Municipality, in its discussions with Halalt First Nation, has committed to working with the Halalt to request the CVRD to undertake a Watershed Management Plan for the Chemainus River Watershed after the well project is operational.
Is this project being done to service municipal land so it can be developed and sold?
No. It has been suggested that this project is motivated by a desire to facilitate residential development of the area known as Echo Heights. This is not the case. The water system already has the capacity to service this land should it be developed. The improvements to the water system are being done to improve the long-identified quality and safety issues within the Chemainus water system and to meet the requirements of the Vancouver Island Health Authority.
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How will these wells affect the environment?
We believe these wells will have no negative effect on the environment. Out of an abundance of caution, this project has been modified so well water is withdrawn only between October 15 and June 15 when it is predicted there will be no impact on the aquifer and river. The number of wells to be constructed has been reduced from three to two, and the maximum rate of pumping has also been decreased from 131 litres per second to 75 litres per second.
Is this project environmentally sustainable?
A detailed water balance calculation was completed which included the effects of climate change with no adverse effect predicated. The Municipality is required and committed to undertake aquifer and river monitoring for at least three years and to provide results in an annual report to the Halalt First Nation, and the Federal and Provincial governments.
Will this project eliminate boil water advisories?
Yes, it is expected that this project will eliminate boil water advisories related to high turbidity.
Will Chemainus water still need to be chlorinated?
Yes, chlorination is a requirement of the Vancouver Island Health Authority permit.
Will water conservation initiatives continue?
Yes, water is a precious resource.
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How much are these improvements estimated to cost?
The total estimated costs of $5.7 Million are proposed to be paid for as follows:
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$2.4 Million from a BC/Canada Infrastructure grant originally awarded to North Cowichan in 2003;
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$250,000 from prior years’ surplus;
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$1.3 Million from Development Cost Charges previously collected from developers; and
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$1.75 Million to be borrowed and paid back over 20 years by property owners within the Chemainus Water Area.
The BC/Canada Infrastructure grant originally awarded to North Cowichan in 2003 has been extended several times due to the length of time required to obtain Federal and Provincial government environmental assessment certificates. The present deadline for spending these grant dollars is March 31, 2010 and cannot be extended further. If the project cannot be completed by March 31, 2010, Chemainus residents will lose this grant.
The cost to repay the proposed $1.75 Million over 20 years for each water connection is estimated at $67 per year. However, because North Cowichan has been budgeting for this project for the past number of years, the actual increase to taxpayers is estimated at only $6 in 2010, with an additional $6 increase (total increase per year $12) for 2011 to 2030.
Who will pay for these improvements?
The decision to allow North Cowichan to borrow the $1.75 Million and the responsibility to repay it, rests solely in the hands of property owners within the boundaries of the Chemainus Water Area. These costs cannot be paid for by other North Cowichan residents as the Chemainus Water Area is a local area service. Crofton and the South End of North Cowichan have separate water systems. By law, each local area service is operated and funded separately.
Can we pay for the improvements all at once instead of borrowing the money?
It is possible to pay for the improvements all at once, but the cost to the property owner would be a one time increase of approximately $700 per water connection.
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What is the "Council initiative” process and how does it work?
A Council initiative (or "counter petition" as is sometimes called), is a way to get taxpayer approval for certain projects, including authorizing long term borrowing that will be repaid through a local service tax. Under this process, a Municipal Council must give notice that it intends to proceed with an initiative and can proceed as planned unless at least 50 percent of the property owners in the affected area (which together represent 50 percent of the value of the land and improvements subject to the local service tax), petition Council not to proceed within 30 days of Council giving notice.
Why did Council decide to proceed by Council initiative?
Council chose this process after being told by the Provincial government that it could not use the alternative approval process which it had started. Instead, Council was required to choose either the petition, Council initiative, or referendum approval process. Council believes Chemainus residents want clean, safe water and support proceeding with this initiative using the low cost and efficient Council initiative approval process.
What do I have to do?
If you are in favour of Chemainus' share of this money being borrowed over the long term, you do not need to do anything. If you reside in the Chemainus Water Area and do not agree that Council should borrow Chemainus’ share of the money you must submit a completed petition by the 4:30pm November 6, 2009 deadline. If 50% or more of the property owners within the Chemainus Water Area (which together represent 50% of the value of the land and improvements subject to the local service tax) submit valid petitions by the 4:30pm November 6, 2009 deadline, North Cowichan may not proceed to borrow the money.
Do I need to submit a petition if I am in favour of the proposed borrowing?
No. If you are in favour of Chemainus' share of this money being borrowed over the long term, you do not need to do anything.
What is the deadline to submit a petition?
The deadline to submit a petition if you are opposed, is 4:30pm, Friday, November 6, 2009.
Can I retract my petition if I change my mind?
Yes, if you submit a petition but change your mind, you can request, in writing prior to the deadline, that your petition not be counted.
What happens if there is a valid and sufficient petition?
If 50% or more of the property owners (which together represent 50% of the value of the land and improvements subject to the local service tax) within the Chemainus Water Area sign and submit valid and sufficient petitions before the deadline Council cannot borrow the money or continue with construction.
What if the owners of my property do not agree?
For a petition opposed to this project to be valid, it must be signed by the majority of the owners of each property. For example, if you own your property with one other person, both of you must sign the petition, and if three people own the property jointly, at least two of the property owners must sign the petition.
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For More Information, please contact:
Chemainus Water Wells Open House
Thursday October 15, 2009
7:00pm to 9:00pm
Chemainus Legion
9775 Chemainus Road
Technical Questions
John MacKay
Director of Engineering and Operations
250-746-3136
mackay@northcowichan.ca
Council Initiative Process
Mark Ruttan
Director of Administration
250-746-3117
ruttan@northcowichan.ca
Financial Questions
Mark Frame
Director of Finance
250-746-3107
frame@northcowichan.ca
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