Water restriction in Shuswap
Our community is currently facing a big challenge. The fire, {I don’t want to use word wildfire} which started a couple weeks ago in Adams Lake grew exponentially with the help of mismanagement and incompetence in the ignition of a back burn fire on Thursday, August 17 in Lee Creek. Friday night the fire crossed the TCH between Little Shuswap Lake and Shuswap Lake threatening farmers and households in Turtle Valley, Sorrento, Notch Hill and the Skimikin area. These communities are occupied by independent and self-sufficient people.
Saturday afternoon, August 19, bureaucrats of the Columbia Shuswap Regional District {CSRD} decided to shut down the bulk water station in Sorrento. This source of water local people, including farmers use during the drought and now, to fight the fire and keep moisture on the properties. Yesterday afternoon CSRD through their new Facebook account Shuswap emergency program informed, that people can get water from Blackburn Park in Salmon Arm. The problem is the distance and also, Sorrento station has different fitting then in Salmon Arm, so people have to buy a new one, which is all sold out.
Today, the CSRD announced another option with delivery of water to properties with a water truck after registration. Residents can call Debbie Evans at 250- 803- 6697 at the CSRD Emergency Operations service with the request.
In the spring, municipalities around the province introduced a water restriction plan limiting the property owner’s use of municipal water, due to drought and the City’s high water usage. Properties over 1/2 acre (0.2 hectares) in size are not permitted to irrigate with City water. This includes properties with farm status.
https://www.salmonarm.ca/water-restrictions
Friday August 18, Chief Executive Officer Erin Jackson, the Director of engineering and public works Robert Niewenhuzein and utility manager John Rasmuson of the City of Salmon Arm brought into effect water restriction Stage 4, where water use is not permitted at this time. This decision was confirmed by the mayor Allan Harrison and council on Monday morning. Failure to comply with these restrictions may result in a fine, metered water rates, or a discontinuation of service.
With fire approaching our community and the extreme lack of rain should we not be irrigating our properties to keep moisture in the ground? With the Trans Canada Highway closed, shouldn’t we be watering our gardens and farms so we have access to fresh local food? The “City”, under the threat of a fine, metered waters rates and discontinuation of service for using water is punishing food producers and gardeners and ultimately the local population.
Also, the roads blockage unable to deliver food, water and another essential supply, such as fuel, gas, to the people fighting and protecting their homes on their own in the evacuation order area.
The agenda is becoming clear, total control of the water supply including fees for it and moving people from the countryside into 15- minute cities. Our own money, which we pay to the “City” or CSRD in the form of taxes and fees are again NOT working for our benefit.
DB, CB
