An information session was held at the Windermere Community Hall on May 17 to present the current proposed Windermere water system upgrade.
Since 2006, a water quality advisory has been in place for the Windermere Water System.
The system does not comply with the Interior Health Authority’s 4-3-2-1-0 treatment objectives, and by January 2015, Windermere is to have water that complies to these new objectives.
The information session was to give Windermere residents a chance to learn more about the new proposed water upgrade, the reasons why the method chosen came to be, and what they could expect in terms of new water rates.
“I think that we had a great turnout at the Windermere water meeting on Tuesday, which I was very happy to see,” said Area F Director Wendy Booth.
The Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) would be purchasing treated bulk water that complies with the Interior Health Authority’s 4-3-2-1-0 objectives from Parr Utilities Ltd., who are a part of the Windermere Water & Sewer.
A representative from Parr, as well as Chief Financial Officer for the Water Controller, Ron Simmons, were at the session to give presentations and answer questions, along with several other individuals.
Throughout the evening, concerned and interested Windermere residents asked several questions of the presenters and also voiced their own comments on the Windermere water’s proposed upgrade, some positive, and some negative.
“There was a lot of information that was presented and my hope is that people are able to make a good decision on whether or not they want to purchase bulk water, not just in the short term, but looking at the long term benefits for their community,” said Booth.
“It is my job to give them the information, it is the residents’ job to make the decision. It is essential to have the facts when decision making, otherwise decisions are made based on emotion, passion and subjectivity.”
The Windermere water vote will happen on June 25, with advance voting opportunities on June 15 and 23.
For more information about the Windermere water upgrade, visit the RDEK website at www.rdek.bc.ca or email Booth at wndbooth@gmail.com