Some 130 people attended the Cariboo Regional District (CRD) 108 Mile Water System information meeting at the 108 Mile Community Hall on Feb. 19.
During his greeting, CRD Area G Director Al Richmond noted issues with the current water system at the 108 Mile Ranch have been ongoing for several years, and after prior 108 water meetings, residents had asked him to provide some "science," options and costs for fixing the water quantity and quality.
Richmond said he was looking for input on the information, which was going to be presented that evening; feedback on preference on one of the two options, which would also be presented; and, if possible, an indication on whether residents would like to proceed to referendum.
CRD environmental service manager Mitch Minchau took those present through a PowerPoint of the findings of Kala Geosciences Ltd. (Kala) – a Kamloops-based earth sciences consulting firm that provides technical support in development, protection and management of surface and groundwater resources.
After its study of the water system, Kala answered three questions that were discussed at all of the prior 108 water meetings:
• If nothing is done, the Sepa and 108 Mile lakes would not naturally return to historical levels.
• During a drought year, groundwater extraction affects lake levels by 33% compared to 31% for surface-water extraction and 36% for climate (rain and evaporation).
• If well usage continues as it is now, the lake levels will continue to drop until the lake area is small enough that water recharge is able to keep up with lake evaporation.
North aquifer
If a north aquifer well was used, Kala noted lake elevations would rise 16 centimetres a year, and depending on the climate, it may take 12 years to recover.
The report stated there is sufficient yield to meet long-term demands, but further testing would be needed to see if it would meet maximum daily demand during drought years.
Kala also noted a new well would cost an estimated $115,000, and the existing wells could supplement the north aquifer well without affecting lake levels.
A third-party consulting firm was commissioned to review Kala’s assessment, and it confirmed there would be sufficient quantity. It added drilling a large well and testing would be required to determine lake impacts.
Although Kala stated it was 95% sure there would not be an impact on the lake levels, it agreed well testing would be needed.
It was noted the water quality in the north aquifer was similar to the existing wells, but the manganese levels are higher.
Options
Two options were offered for residents’ consideration.
A – Utilize existing wells and construct a treatment plant at the Kyllo reservoir at a cost of $2.5-$2.8 million, with an annual operating cost of $30,000.
B – Utilize the north aquifer well, construct a treatment plant at the Kyllo reservoir, which would require three kilometres of water main and three-phase power to the well, and cost $4.7-$5.1 million, an annual operating cost of $30,000-$40,000.
Grants
Because it’s a federal election year, Richmond said it would be a good time to apply for grants.
He noted the CRD already applied for a Small Communities Fund (SCF) grant because the application deadline was Feb. 18.
Richmond added the regional district has already committed $800,000 towards the treatment plant, and in addition to a Community Works Fund (CWF), an application could be made to the SCF.
It was noted there would be another meeting.
Later Minchau said the latest could be held would be in September. However, if positive notification comes back from the grant administrators earlier, the meeting could be held shortly after that, he added.
Fee/tax increase
• Currently: user fee (UF) is $220; capital cost (CC) is zero; parcel tax (PT) is $135; combined total (CT) is $355; and extra monthly cost (EMC) is zero.
• Option A – with exiting well/no SCF grant: UF is $284; CC is $2.5-2.8 million; PT is $197 for 15 years; CT is $481; and EMC is $10.50.
• Option A – with SCF grant: UF is $284; CC is $2.5-2.8 million; PT is $161 for 5 years; CT is $446; and EMC is $7.50.
• Option B – with north well/no SCF grant: UF is $284; CC is $4.7-5.1 million; PT is $330 for 15 years; CC is $614; and EMC is $21.59.
• Option B – with SCF grant: UF is $284; CC, $4.7-5.1 million; PT is $256 for 15 years; CC is $540; and EMC is $15.42.
The PowerPoint presentation was posted on the CRD website (www.cariboord.ca) on Feb. 23.
Read more details about the report and the meeting in the March 5 edition of the Free Press.
