The Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) is moving forward on a bylaw to borrow up to $7.25 million to fund Phase 3 of the universal water meter installation project – but first it needs approval from electors.
The third phase of the project covers the District of Sechelt and the Sechelt Indian Government District, and looks to address conservation and leak detection.
In a report to the infrastructure services committee on March 11, staff told the board that a property with a leak used four times more water than the average amount. The presentation also said that studies have shown 65 per cent less water was used in Canadian households after water meters were installed. In the Town of Gibsons, water usage decreased by 40 per cent between 2008 and 2017.
Directors passed first, second and third reading of the loan authorization bylaw at the SCRD regular board meeting later on March 11. In order for the bylaw to come into effect, the board needs the approval of the electors in the water supply and distribution service area.
Directors stressed the need to inform the public about the bylaw, and SCRD board chair Lori Pratt said information will be coming out in the weeks ahead.
“I would hope that the community has sufficient information, and is seeing that this board is taking water supply seriously. We have done a lot of work since the previous time this came forward to the community,” Sechelt director Darnelda Siegers said at the board meeting.
“We will ensure that during this process, we’re going to get sufficient information out, and we would request that the community really be informed when they look at their actions in either being in favour or opposing this bylaw that we’ve out forward today,” Siegers said. “I hope that we’re successful this time.”
This isn’t the first time the SCRD has attempted to bring forward a loan authorization bylaw that required an alternative approval process (AAP) for the water meter installation project. In 2018, the AAP was unsuccessful.
At the time, the SCRD was looking to borrow $6 million over a 20-year term.
At the March 11 infrastructure services committee meeting, West Howe Sound director Mark Hiltz asked why the amount has increased by $1.25 million in the last three years.
General manager of infrastructure services Remko Rosenboom said the increase accounts for inflation, cost increases and updated information from suppliers.
The amortization term for the proposed bylaw is 15 years, with an annual debt payment of $604,111 at 2.5 per cent of the loan. AAPs are required when borrowing periods last longer than five years, and are used to determine whether the public objects to the authorized long-term loan.
Next, the SCRD will forward the proposed bylaw to the province for review. The Inspector of Municipalities will have to approve the bylaw, and then the AAP can begin.
The Phase 3 installation AAP is estimated to take place in late spring or the summer.
