Why I recommend proceeding with the Graham Lake Water Project
I appreciate everyone who has taken the time to ask questions and engage in the discussion about the future of the Graham Lake Water Service to date. Residents deserve clear information and respectful dialogue, particularly when significant costs are involved. As of now, residents of Graham Lake have received the petition form to proceed with the project in their mailbox, and they have until July 10th to return it to the CVRD. Instructions are on the form.
There is no question that the proposed project represents a substantial investment, which, combined with regular operations costs, will result in a total bill of about $3,000 per year for water per home. However, it is important to understand what residents are being asked to consider.
At its core, this is a drinking water project. The Graham Lake Water System has not met provincial and federal drinking water treatment requirements for many years, and that issue has been identified through engineering work, pilot testing, and regulatory review. Whether residents are in favor of proceeding or not, the need for a compliant water treatment solution remains. In other water or sewer systems that fail to comply, the Province eventually starts to threaten and levy fines on operators for persistent non-compliance, and those fines can be passed unto homeowners until the system is compliant. There is some history on this the Comox Valley, with the large water system, and in Cumberland with sewage. This statement is not meant to be fear mongering – it is simply a fact.
Some have suggested that this project lacks engineering analysis or a defined scope. In fact, multiple professional studies, assessments, treatment evaluations, lake hydrology, and dam reviews have been completed over several years, many of which incorporated advice or feedback from Graham Lake residents. While some residents may disagree with the recommended solution, it is not accurate to suggest that the project has been developed without extensive technical and options analysis, and community engagement.
Questions have also been raised about fire protection. Fire protection is important, and some residents would have liked to see operational hydrants restored throughout the subdivision. However, I would note that the current borrowing proposal is focused on drinking water treatment, and that the Denman Island Fire Department and CVRD Fire Chief do not see the necessity of the hydrants to meet modern fire response standards in the Graham Lake neighbourhood. Following recent public feedback from Graham Lake residents, the CVRD removed borrowing related to fire suppression upgrades in an effort to reduce overall costs to residents and focus on the regulatory drinking water requirements that must be addressed.
Residents should carefully evaluate claims regarding future costs, treatment technologies, or operational requirements. Accurate information and all background documents and reports can be found at www.comoxvalleyrd.ca/grahamlake
Ultimately, this is not a choice between spending money and spending nothing for Graham Lake residents. The Graham Lake community faces a tough choice between proceeding with a funding plan that includes $1.8 million in secured grants on a $4.4 million project for a compliant and upgraded drinking water system, or delaying the project while continuing to face the same regulatory and infrastructure challenges, and having a good likelihood of losing the grants. It is a hard place to be, but that is the junction we find ourselves at.
Reasonable people can arrive at different conclusions. My view is that decisions should be based on the best available information, and weighting of risks and opportunities. The question before Graham Lake residents is whether the proposed borrowing and grants-in-hand provide a responsible path toward a safe, reliable, and compliant drinking water system for the Graham Lake community. It is my belief that under the circumstances and pressure from regulatory requirements, proceeding with the borrowing far outweighs the alternatives.
Over the coming weeks, I will go door-to-door in the Graham Lake neighbourhood to provide more detailed information, hear feedback and suggestions, and field questions from residents. I will canvas Graham Lake door to door from 10am to 1pm on Sunday June 7th, Saturday June 20th, Sunday June 21st, and will have a lemonade stand on Saturday July 4th at the “Mailbox” Beach.
Residents of Graham Lake can also contact me at anytime with questions or concerns at reachme@danielarbour.ca, and if I can’t answer I will loop in CVRD staff.
Best, Daniel Arbour, CVRD Area A Director