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Water loss management program in Squamish

The staff at the District of Squamish recommended that council accept the proposal from Kerr Wood Leidal Associates to conduct a Water Loss Management Program at all neighborhoods in the district.

The staff at the District of Squamish recommended that council accept the proposal from Kerr Wood Leidal Associates to conduct a Water Loss Management Program at all neighborhoods in the district.

The engineering staff noted that Squamish did not have a program, despite high water loss reported in the district. With this program the staff will be able to isolate major components of the water system and record how much water gets drawn from a particular neighborhood from the hours of, say, 2 a.m. until 4 a.m.

Once the system is isolated, it's recorded how much water gets drawn from the reservoir in a particular street. There is often a higher consumption rate where there are leaks. The same process is repeated on a street-by-street basis and leaks are detected.

Water operators will be trained on the techniques and equipment used to find leaks so the District can continue with this program with minimal assistance from external resources in future years.

One of the expected benefits of a water loss program is the deferral or elimination of new infrastructure, such as new wells, reservoirs or larger water mains. In addition to finding and repairing leaks, Engineering Services is planning to install equipment that can be used to monitor flows in water mains. This data will allow the District to detect leaks in the future and save water.

 

OCP given third reading

The District of Squamish's Official community Plan (OCP) was given a third reading following a slight amendment. The plan in its current form would not have allowed for gas stations on one small corner at the intersection of Highway 99 and Garibaldi Way. The council made an amendment to remove that restriction.

The OCP is now one step away from adoption. In a rather thinly-attended public hearing on May 25, council heard the concerns of some of the residents. One resident, Janna Everett, said her property on Highway 99 is not included in the Official Community Plan and she has tried to contact staff to be included for a period of time, but has not yet received any response to her requests. A local environmental group, Squamish Climate Action Network (CAN), had stressed the need to address such issues in the OCP as support for local food production, the need to reduce carbon footprint and a commitment to reduce green house emissions. Councillor Doug Race, who brought forward the motion, said the council has heard from all concerned, but he said OCP is not a zoning bylaw but a vision bylaw.

"There are changes. It will be impossible to create one that would last five years without changes. So, if something comes along, you consider, whether it's appropriate or not, and if it's appropriate, you amend the OCP." he said.

 

Squamish to guarantee loan

The District of Squamish staff recommended that Squamish sign the loan guarantee document with the VanCity Credit Union for $29,000, which is a part of what was borrowed by the Squamish Slo-Pitch Association to cover the cost of completing the second slo-pitch field in 1995.

In 2005 the District of Squamish became guarantor to a $150,000 loan taken out by the Squamish Slo-Pitch Association to complete a slo-pitch field located at Finch Drive and Loggers Lane. That loan expired on May 24, 2010 but a balance of $59,359 remained that had been paid off by the association.

The VanCity Credit Union will give a new loan only if Squamish acts as a guarantor on the remaining balance.

 

SLRD appointments

The District of Squamish appointed Councillors Patricia Heintzman and Paul Lalli as the district representatives to the Squamish Lillooet Regional District (SLRD), each holding four votes. Mayor Greg Gardner was appointed as an alternative appointment to Councillors Heintzman and Councillor Doug Race was appointed as an alternative to Coun.Lalli.

Meanwhile, the district also announced that Kirkham will be the acting mayor from June 23 to June.30th.