Before the final phase of water meter installations for properties served by regional water systems could get under way, direct award of a contract to shíshálh Nation valued at up to $618,261 plus GST for archaeological monitoring required approval. That was granted by the Sunshine Coast Regional District board (SCRD) at its March 14 meeting.
The day before, an SCRD press release announced installation of over 4,100 meters in the District of Sechelt was to start in March. It explained that the plan is to begin with meter installations in West Sechelt then continue on to the west side of Porpoise Bay, through to downtown Sechelt, then to the east side of Porpoise Bay. Installations are to conclude in ts’uḵw’um (the Davis Bay/Wilson Creek area) with completion anticipated by 2026.
At the meeting, manager of capital projects Bryan Shoji stated that the cost of the new contract allocation could be covered by the existing Phase 3 project budget contingency and with funds from earlier phases, which were completed under budget. With the contract before the board, Sjhoji noted that the SCRD would be billed only for work required and the total spending could be lower than the funding amount approved. Staff indicated that taking the blanket approach of a single contract for the assessments eliminated the requirement for the local government to apply for an archaeological permit for each meter installation.
“Prior to installations taking place, residents will receive a letter which will provide information on the water meter program. This will be followed by a door tag which will be left at your home three days before Neptune technicians arrive to complete the meter installation. Most meter installs only take one-hour and are done with little disruption to the homeowner and areas around your home” the press release stated.
The release also noted that Phase 3 contractor Neptune Technology had been working in the area since October of last year, conducting retrofits and replacements of over 660 regional water system meters.
