CVRD $3,000 Lemonade Solution?
Hi Folks,
This week’s article is a follow up to the previous June 11th article titled, “Fines, Fear, Failures & Future?”
CVRD’s FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) campaign continues with CVRD Rep. Daniel Arbour’s recent political comments and the pedalling of a CVRD $3000 Lemonade Solution.
Let’s address the well intentioned but misguided comments that have been made because of misinformation and being disconnected from resident reality.
The CVRD Graham Lake Lemonade Solution apparently will be sold at a cost to each resident of $3,000 per year.
The simple arithmetic doesn’t add up and here’s why:
$1,210.38 – 2026 BC Property Tax GRAHAM LAKE WATER tax line item
$1,060.00 – 2025 CVRD Water Toll
$2,000.00 – 2026 CVRD’s Projected Project Service Debt Cost
$4,270.38 – per year water bill without subdivision Fire Hydrant protection.
*Not including future increases.
Am I missing something?
The highest water costs across Canada are $1,200 per year and Graham Lake will be nearly four times that.
Why have residents been placed into this financial crisis with many wondering where is our subdivision’s champion and elected representative?
To date there has been no impact study related to the financial hardships on fixed income pensioners, renters and working people!
Does anyone care?
It’s been suggested to residents that the CVRD website contains all the answers regarding the upgrade, except for questions from taxpayers with extensive drinking water system, fire protection specialist, waterworks construction and common-sense experience.
Let’s investigate some key points in the development of any water treatment solution:
One of the most important is a proper Lake Study and Sanitary Survey. A proper Lake Study is a minimum of one year to research, capture and create baselines for all seasonal changes in the lake. At least one follow up study is required. The CVRD conclusion that after a couple months of tests during the summer is sufficient is only blowing smoke and an insult to the intelligence of residents when multiple of millions of dollars of debt are to be incurred. This was pointed out at the CVRD Electoral Areas Service Committee (EASC) meeting of May 8th 2023.
Fire Hydrants are an integral part of any subdivision water system:
The availability of ready, accessible Fire Hydrant Water is critical to the fire protection and safety of subdivision residents, homes, pumphouse waterworks and even Graham Lake itself. Daniel Arbour and CVRD Fire Chief Bruce Green’s political opinion disregards the subdivision’s existing Fire Hydrants which eliminates the only access to Graham Lake’s 63 million gallons of Fire Water. Morrison Marsh is not a reliable water source.
In 2026 is Fire Water not required for subdivision structure or interface fire protection? This is reminiscent of a mindset in failure that led to the Palisades/Santa Ynez Reservoir fire disaster in 2025. Again, the Superior Tanker Shuttle system is not designed for subdivisions as the Fire Underwriters Survey (FUS) literature indicates. Additionally, the Superior Tanker Shuttle system has NEVER been tested and proven in the subdivision. This Fire Hydrant Water issue continues to be about the safety of my family, my property and that of my neighbours and surrounding community.
Let’s now address financial tenability:
We are now at a junction where the inactivity and incompetence of the CVRD and a few GLID administrators over the past 8 years has led to subdivision residents facing a proposed unexplained inflationary upgrade with an outrageous yearly water cost. This water project lacks specifics and a clear simple statement of purpose. Is this about complying to Surface Water Treatment Objectives (SWTO) and Fire Hydrant requirements in a cost effective, market bearing manner? The SWTO does not require water meters. Have water meters been deleted from the service debt cost? $500,000 savings plus operational costs. Graham Lake is a FREE 63-million-gallon Fire Hydrant Water storage tank. Why has this been overlooked and excluded? Who authorised the removal of the Emergency By-Pass from the pumphouse? Let’s get back to satisfying what is required and utilizing existing assets and put an end to this fiasco.
Again, regarding FOMO tactics and the expiring “grant” money; FOMO usually results in a very poor impulse purchase. There will always be another sale. At the time, submitting the grant application was advised against for the very reason we find ourselves in presently, that of being ill prepared. Any delay “fines” assessed to the CVRD reflect failure of their handling, yet the CVRD expects us to pay their way out. To reiterate what one resident said, “Intelligent and responsible people don’t SPEND multiple millions to save a million”.
Your “yes” vote is like your signature on a blank cheque. Where did the quarter of a million dollars ($250,000) of GLID capital monies go? For certain it didn’t go towards providing every resident with a Firesmart sprinkler kit or water filter unit.
To vote NO or ABSTAIN suspends the madness.
Exactly which SWTO specifications need to be met? There are other cost-effective solutions and approaches. A good example and case study is Ship’s Point Improvement District’s successful upgrade resulting in value, water cost, compliance, Fire Hydrant protection and more.
Presently, your water cost will be $4,000+ per year without Fire Hydrant subdivision protection. Again, which politicians and agencies are looking out for the taxpaying constituents and properties?
The CVRD $3000 Lemonade Solution reveals a lack of transparency, accountability, due diligence and fiduciary duty. And does not provide a responsible path forward to a fully functional, reliable, financially tenable, compliant Drinking Water System and Fire Hydrant Water protection for the Graham Lake community.
