A decision on the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) takeover of the Hopkins Landing water system is more than a year away, according to a staff report on its Oct. 26 committee of the whole agenda.
At that meeting, SCRD directors recommended accepting a provincial grant of up to $10,000. With that, in 2024, it can contract a system feasibility and condition assessment study, to move toward the go-no-go call.
If the board endorses those recommendations, the grant funds are to be added to the $30,000 the Hopkins Landing waterworks improvement district has available to support a two-phased approach to the system’s potential conversion into a regional asset. In February, that group asked the SCRD to look into taking over responsibility for the system.
Next steps
The staff report estimated the study portion of that work will cost between $10,000 and $15,000. It will assess the condition of existing infrastructure and comment on the feasibility of integrating that into the SCRD’s Regional Water Service Area. Included in that is to be a “value risk assessment,” with cost estimates to upgrade what staff called “the aging system” to meet the regional district's requirements.
At the meeting, utility manager Shane Walkey explained that staff will examine the study’s results and provide options and recommendations on the takeover process to the board mid next year. If proceeding with the investigation of takeover is supported, the next phase of review would include asset planning, assessing any deficiencies and upgrades required, public consultation and detailed financial analysis. If the board agrees to take that step, it is projected to happen in 2025 at an estimated cost of $25,000.
After those are completed and considered, if the board opts to proceed with takeover, completion of the transition would require a Cabinet order revoking the incorporation of the system’s existing improvement district. The system’s assets and liabilities, along with responsibility for operation of its services would then be transferred to the SCRD.
Held together by 'duct tape and chewing gum'
In committee discussion, the condition of the system was a concern. Area E director Donna McMahon described it as “hanging together with duct tape and chewing gum” and asked which party would be responsible for upgrading costs. Walkey pointed out that “compensation related to infrastructure deficiencies” would be addressed in the review.
Director Kate-Louise Stamford, who represents Area F, where the system is located reported that it experiences frequent water service outages. Following a storm in November 2022, one of the system’s pump houses was damaged and the SCRD stepped in to provide temporary service to area water users for several weeks.
According to documents provided to the SCRD by the waterworks district, Hopkins Landing water infrastructure includes two wells, associated pump houses and storage tanks and a distribution network. The system serves about 170 properties. Its 2023 water taxes and tolls were $400 for a single-family residence.
