Van Anda Improvement District
Public Announcements
Boil Water Notice Lifted
October 6, 2024Van Anda’s Boil Water Notice is no longer in effect as 2 consecutive VCH sample testing results show no Coliform or E. Coli bacteria in the water. Previously, low levels of Coliforms were detected. Coliforms are very common in the environment.
We have returned to the Water Quality Advisory, which is in place for those with health issues. These individuals may still want to boil their water before consumption.
The Advisory will stay in place until the UV Treatment system is fully functional. We are making good progress with increasing UV levels and they are close to requirements, however this is unlikely to be fully resolved until the Ion Exchange media has been replaced. The media replacement is a complicated and costly process; we are bringing in an expert for assistance.
More info on Notices and Advisories can be seen on this page Water Quality Notices
Annual Newsletters Jan 2025
January 15, 2025Annual newsletters for Water and Fire were included with annual invoice mail out early January 2025.
Newsletter Jan 2025
January 15, 2025Hello Texada! Here are some notes on recent events:
WINTER CONDITIONS: Please ensure your water lines and outside faucets are insulated. A faucet left running to avoid freezing may not seem to use much water but 25 faucets barely on (filling a cup in 10 seconds) for 2 weeks costs us $1,385!
ANNUAL INVOICES for Water Tolls and Parcel Taxes are being mailed (and emailed if previously requested) early January. Please let us know if you would like yours to be emailed or have changed your mailing address. Due date for payment is March 10, after which penalties are applied. Payment plans are available – see your invoice for details or contact us for more information or assistance in setting up a plan.
To learn more about how Tolls & Taxes are calculated, visit our webpage vananda-id.ca/water-rates/
EMERGENCY CONTACT NUMBER: A slip is included with your invoice for your emergency contact info. Please return this to us so we can contact you when needed. When we don’t have your phone number, we can’t let you know what’s happening in emergencies.
LEAK DETECTION CONTRACTOR: Due to the massive loss of treated water from leaks in the infrastructure, we have contracted a leak detection specialist, who will be here Jan 6-9. They will set up acoustic devices around town to collect information that will then be analysed to pinpoint leak locations. Unless we can cut down on water loss before summer, the treatment plant may need to be bypassed to keep water flowing in the pipes and in the storage tank for fire protection.
WATER QUALITY ADVISORY: The Water Quality Advisory continues. This will likely stay in effect until the media replacement in the ion exchange units is complete, which will allow the UV Treatment to be fully effective. The media (Purolite) has a limited lifespan and high cost, and due to media deterioration and fouling, the ion exchangers are offline. Replacement of the media has been contracted to Aaron Service and is scheduled for late December 2024; however, the ion exchangers may possibly not be put back online until enough leaks are found and repaired as there are limits to the rate at which the ion exchangers can treat the water.
CHLORINE LEVELS: Unexpected changes in chlorine levels were caused by the faulty chlorine analyser. This is being replaced early 2025. The entire chlorination system is outdated and will be all new as part of the Water Treatment Plant upgrades scheduled for completion summer 2025. This upgrade includes addition of a sand filter, which will lower treatment costs by saving on filter cartridges, salt used in the ion exchanger, and wear and tear on the ion exchanger media.
TEXT NOTIFICATION for WATER EMERGENCIES: If you (or anyone you know) would like to be texted about water emergencies, please let us know.
SUBSCRIBE: Be notified by email for outages, monthly newsletter, and other events at vananda-id.ca/subscribe/
CONTACT INFO: Please let us know your concerns! contact@vananda-id.ca – 604-486-7035
NEXT MEETING: The next Regular Board meeting is scheduled for Wednesday Jan 15th 1:30pm
2025 MEETING DATES: Jan 15, Feb 12, Mar 12, Apr 16, May 14, June 11, July 16, Aug 13, Sept 17, Oct 15, Nov 12, Dec 17, AGM April 19
WATER EMERGENCY: Water Operator Marianne Segers 1-604-315-1363
FIRE FIGHTERS ALWAYS NEEDED! No experience necessary. Training, gear, and 24-hr (NEW – now includes off-duty) accident insurance coverage provided. Many practices and training events are held together with Gillies Bay as Texada’s 2 Fire Departments continue to work together.
Contact Fire Chief Mark Robert 604-414-9662 or firechief@vananda.ca
Newsletter Dec 2024
December 1, 2024Hello Texada! Here are some notes on recent events:
THANKS! The Board would like to express their gratitude to VAID employees and other community members who helped deal with several water system crises recently. You are appreciated!
WINTER IS COMING – please ensure your water lines and outside faucets are insulated. A single blown-out garden hose can waste over 10,000 US Gallons overnight, at a cost of about $50.
ANNUAL INVOICES for Water Tolls and Parcel Tax will be sent early January. The Budget was not finalised at this writing, but we estimate the overall increase will be around 6%, with a single-family residence on a parcel sized less than ½ acre estimated at $1,220 for 2025. Due date is March 10. To learn more about how Tolls & Taxes are calculated, visit our webpage vananda-id.ca/water-rates/
LEAK DETECTION CONTRACTED: Leaks have continued to increase. Using recorded amounts to date, we estimate the volume of water treated for 2024 will be about 20% more than 2023. A leak detection specialist has been contracted – Velocity Water Services will be here in January using their industry-leading technologies in acoustic leak detection to locate water leaks. Preliminary surveys are completed using listening devices called loggers that are strategically placed throughout the water distribution system. These loggers activate overnight and log potential leak locations. During the overnight hours, water usage is down, pressure is up, and background noise is reduced. This allows for the best conditions to survey a distribution system. Once leak locations have been identified, their technicians use a correlating device to better pinpoint a leak location. This is then followed up using a ground microphone that can listen at any specific location.
WATER QUALITY ADVISORY: The Water Quality Advisory continues. This will likely stay in effect until the media replacement in the Ion Exchange units is complete, which will allow the UV Treatment to be fully effective.
TEXT NOTIFICATION for WATER EMERGENCIES: If you or anyone you know would like to be texted about water emergencies, please let us know. Text notifications will begin in the next few weeks.
SUBSCRIBE: Be notified by email for outages, monthly newsletter, and other events at vananda-id.ca/subscribe/
CONTACT INFO: Please let us know your concerns! contact@vananda-id.ca – 604-486-7035
NEXT MEETING: The next Regular Board meeting is scheduled for Wednesday Dec 11th 1:30pm
WATER EMERGENCY: Water Operator Marianne Segers 1-604-315-1363
FIREFIGHTERS ALWAYS NEEDED! No experience necessary. Training, gear, and 24-hr (NEW – now includes off-duty) accident insurance coverage provided. Many practices and training events are held together with Gillies Bay as Texada’s 2 Fire Departments continue to work together.
Contact Fire Chief Mark Robert 604-414-9662 or firechief@vananda.ca
Chlorine levels at tank good.
November 22, 2024This morning’s tests show the chlorine levels are within limits. Problem appears to be in the chlorine analyzer/controller. We are sourcing a new unit.
Water Quality Advisory remains in effect
Water Quality Advisory – High Chlorine Levels
November 21, 2024An issue with the chlorine pump has caused too much chlorine to be added to the water. Maximum recommended levels are 4 parts per million (ppm); this mornings measurement at the tank was close to 6 ppm. Usual level is around 3 ppm.
The quickest way to remove chlorine from water is by boiling for 15 mins. Alternatively, leaving the water in a pot or other container with wide opening for at least 24 hours will remove the chlorine by evaporation.
Please share this with others, especially to those with pre-existing health conditions.
We are currently working on resolving the issue.
