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Vavenby water petition goes to TNRD

The petition notes that five water systems within the regional district, including Vavenby, have high water usage

Thompson-Nicola Regional District has received a 72-signature petition that asks for communication with the community of Vavenby regarding installation of water meters in the village's water system.

“After experiencing several leaks in our aging system last year, we want to know – are we using it or losing it.” the petition reads. “Spending $500,000 to install water meters is not repairing our system.”

The petition notes that five water systems within the regional district, including Vavenby, have high water usage. The petition goes on to ask how many of the other four have an industrial user on their system and how old the other systems are in comparison to Vavenby's.

In an email addressed to Wells Gray Country director Carol Schaffer, Vavenby resident Kathy Cederholm said that, in 2006, water rates were $15 per month. It has since gone up to $40 per month, and the TNRD apparently is considering another $10 increase.

This amounts to a $420 per year increase over less than years.

“While I do understand that the cost of operations has gone up, this increase seems excessive to me,” Cederholm wrote.

Last March the TNRD board approved having staff submit a federal Gas Tax application for funding to support the installation of water meters in five communities, including Vavenby.

A preliminary cost estimated at the time was $1,500 to $2,000 per connection.

 

It was pointed out that water meters would help identify leaks, either in the distribution system or on individual properties.