When you turn on a tap, you expect that clean, drinkable water to come streaming out.
With a new $2-billion 30-year plan, the Capital Regional District’s (CRD) water supply commission wants to ensure that keeps happening, even as Greater Victoria grows and climate change looms.
“Yes, it’s a big price tag, but the safe and clean water supply is priceless,” said Jeremy Loveday, a Victoria councillor and CRD water commissioner.
The massive project would include everything from upgrading pipes and dams to a new $1-billion water filtration plant, something the CRD is currently without.
“We are already seeing more algae blooms in the water supply area, so if climate change continues to impact in the way that’s projected, we could see a decline in our water quality which would cause us to need a filtration of our water supply,” said Loveday.
He also says he wants to be one step ahead of possible future provincial water regulations.
But this project isn’t necessarily streaming smoothly ahead.
One CRD water commissioner worries with rising inflation, the water master plan may be gambling with taxpayers’ money.
“Planning for something as large as this when we currently don’t necessarily have the need for it, and may never have the need for it, I thought was a valid thing to bring up,” said Sara Duncan, also a councillor with the Town of Sidney.
The $2-billion price tag would be paid for through water rates with the potential for grant funding and is only a guide, meaning each of the projects would have to undergo more consultation before approval.
The full CRD board will vote on the project at their next meeting in August.
Kori Sidaway
