Chris Moss

I don’t usually stray into the political arena but something has been bothering me.
The Capital Regional District (CRD) has ten regional water commissions; all focused on the quality and quantity of water distributed by piped systems. In fact, when we asked about non-piped water (wells and stream licences), they didn’t seem to think that we are part of the CRD and we were referred to the “Front Desk” in Nanaimo for questions about BC wells.

It is not a stretch to say that people who depend on a domestic well or a stream licence are always
concerned about the viability of their water supply. Yet we have very little opportunity to make our
thoughts heard in the urban-centered thinking of the CRD. So far, requests to change attitudes about well water monitoring, or requirements for rainwater harvesting and grey water, are falling on mostly deaf ears.

So we wondered if there should be a CRD Rural Water Commission, made up of local residents, the JdF Director, and supported by professional staff from the CRD concerned with biology, eco-diversity, forestry, and fire readiness. The Rural Water Commission would research and report on the health of our watersheds and rivers; on wells and aquifers; on conservation of water and wetlands; on rural development and questions related to the water “readiness” of rural lands to planned development requests.

More and more the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area is feeling the effects of its own success at staying rural. Hundreds of visitors flock to our many scenic locations to escape the urban environment. Long weekends in the summer see a constant line of traffic speeding down highway 14. This land is rural but is also mostly privately owned and visitors sometimes ignore all signs and warnings in their effort to enjoy the wilderness experience. This includes B&B visitors from the city who do not understand that water is a limited resource.

A CRD Rural Water Commission could step in here and work with businesses to ensure proper use and conservation of water resources. It all comes down to water.