SUMMERLAND REVIEW THE VOICE OF OUR COMMUNITY SINCE 1908
VOLUME
65
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ISSUE
WHAT’S INSIDE:
Medal sweep Young swimmer brings home four medals from provincials.
NO.
28
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S U M M E R L A N D,
B.C.
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WWW.SUMMERLANDREVIEW.COM
T H U R S D AY,
J U LY
12,
2012
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20
PA G E S
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$1.15
INCLUDING
HST
Water usage bills tested Summerlanders will soon see how much water they are using as the municipality sends out consumption information. The statements, to be sent separately from the municipal utility bills, are information statements to show how much water a household is using and how much it would cost under the proposed billing system.
Under the proposed water meter rates, Summerlanders would pay $30 after the 10 per cent discount for up to 20 cubic metres or 20,000 litres of water. Additional water is charged at three rates, with the amount allotted under each rate based on the size of the property. For those who go over the base allotment,
the charge is 35¢ a cubic metre, then 55¢ a cubic metre and finally 90¢ a cubic metre for the most excessive water use. Mayor Janice Perrino said municipal council had considered several billing options before settling on the system which will be used. In the past, water has not been metered in Summerland. Instead, residential users
pay $35.82 for an unlimited amount. Perrino said the metered system with escalating rates for excessive consumption will encourage water conservation. The system also penalizes those who waste water. “We want to give a break to those who conserve and we want to stop water abusers,” Per-
rino said. She said the high rates for high consumption will serve as a deterrent to many who might otherwise water excessively or inefficiently. “When it comes to people’s pocketbooks, they decide what they want to spend their money on,” she said. See DRY Page 6
Page 14 New column Chamber of Commerce president keeps us up to date.
Page 8 Water table Use this graphic comparison of water usage rates.
Page 6 On ice again Hockey schools and training camps set for summer in Summerland arena.
Page 7 Parade prizes Garnett Valley Gang garners awards in Williams Lake Stampede parade.
Page 19 Tri-powered kids Swim, bike, run fun for youth triathlon club.
Page 14
A water game
YOUR SMILE You would think the self-checkout lanes at the stores would have more mirrors.
Photo by John Arendt, Summerland Review
Swimming instructor Wanda Ward leads Emma Roberts, left, Grace Laurie and Shaun Petkau in a game during swimming lessons at the Summerland Aquatic Centre. The pool is offering swimming lessons throughout the summer.
Reservoirs continue to spill Summerland’s reservoirs remain full to overflowing, although the spill is expected to stop within the next two weeks. Water operations manager Scott Lee said all reservoirs except Garnett Lake are full at present. Municipal crews have kept the level of Garnett Lake down in order to prevent high water problems with Eneas Creek. As a result of manage-
ment efforts on the lake, there are no flooding problems reported in the area. At other municipal reservoirs, the water is continuing to overflow. Once the reservoirs stop spilling, the community will be using stored water for the rest of the season. Water storage dates tend to fluctuate widely. In some years, the reser-
voirs continued to spill throughout the year while at other times, Summerland went into water storage as early as June 20. From 2000 to 2009, the water storage date was from June 23 to July 6. In 2010, the water storage date was July 9 and in 2011, it was July 31. Although water is continuing to overflow the reservoirs, the community remains in Stage 1
watering restrictions. The restrictions allow for lawn irrigation three days a week. If the reservoirs show a significant drop in water levels, the municipality can impose more stringent watering restrictions. Lee said the yearround restrictions help to reinforce the importance of water conservation. “We live in a desert and water isn’t an unlimited
resource,” he said. “We don’t have water to waste at all here.” Since the drought of 2003, Summerland has had restrictions in place for the community, with Stage 1 restriction in place all the time. Lee said the restrictions are helping to curb water use. “Our consumption in Summerland has been declining for many years,” he said.