Hello 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 The entire chlorination system is outdated and will be all new as part of the Water Treatment Plant upgrades scheduled for completion summer 2025.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

Hello 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 11^th 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

Hello Texada! Here are some notes on recent events:

BURN BAN LIFTED: The annual burn ban ended on Oct 15. It is still not permitted to burn any materials which create a noxious odour, such as plastics, rubber, garbage, or animal organic waste. The Fire Regulation Bylaw will be changed so burning restrictions are similar to those in Gillies Bay.

WATER RESTRICTIONS have ended. A reminder that hoses must be equipped with spring-loaded shutoff nozzle at all times. Please continue to consider your water usage. Cold weather is coming so please be prepared by insulating exposed lines & fixtures.

WATER QUALITY ADVISORY: The Boil Water Notice was lifted Oct 6 after 2 consecutive samplings showed no Coliform or E. Coli bacteria. We have returned to a Water Quality Advisory which will likely be in effect until the media replacement in the Ion Exchange units is complete, which will allow the UV Treatment to be fully effective. More information on Notices and Advisories at vananda-id.ca/water-quality-notices/

TEXT NOTIFICATION for WATER EMERGENCIES: We are setting a system for notification by text. There have been comments on social media that this is wanted, but very few people have provided us with their numbers. If you or anyone you know would like to be texted about water emergencies, please let us know.

FIRE PROTECTION AREA EXPANSION: We received about 20 Petitions to Amend Boundaries from property owners outside the District so they can have Fire Department response if needed. These owners have been notified how much their Rural Property Tax will increase (based on property value) and we need confirmation from them before continuing the process. Those that have confirmed need to sign the Temporary Fire Protection Agreement if they want Fire Department response before the Boundary Amendment is complete. This process takes several months so if you want to be covered in the meantime, please contact the office.

EVENING MEETINGS: No one replied to our requests for interest in evening meetings, so meetings will continue to be held during the day.

NEXT MEETING: The next Regular Board meeting is scheduled for Wednesday Nov 13^th 1:30pm

FIREFIGHTERS STILL NEEDED! No experience necessary. Training, gear, and 24-hr (NEW – now includes off-duty) accident insurance coverage provided.  Contact Fire Chief Mark Robert 604-414-9662 or firechief@vananda.ca

CONTACT INFO: Please let us know your concerns! contact@vananda-id.ca – 604-486-7035

SUBSCRIBE: Be notified by email for outages and other events at vananda-id.ca/subscribe/

WATER EMERGENCY: Water Operator Marianne Segers 1-604-315-1363

Hello Texada!  Here are some notes on recent events:

LEAK REPAIRS: More repairs have been completed and still more leaks are popping up. Please continue to report leaks – thank you to those who have done so – we need your help!

WATER RESTRICTIONS now at STAGE 2: This change from Stage 3 decreases restrictions so you can now wash vehicles, boats, and outside surfaces. Limited lawn watering and pool filling is also allowed. Stage 2 will end Oct 15. More detail at Water Conservation Bylaw and Water Restrictions

We have listened to resident’s requests and simplified the Water Conservation Bylaw. The new one will be in effect for 2025. Thanks for your input and thanks to all who are reducing their water usage.

BOIL WATER NOTICE: Another Boil Water Notice was called Sep 7 after two samples from Van Anda (not the same location as last time) showed very low levels of Coliform bacteria. Vancouver Coastal Health requires 2 subsequent sets of samples that pass the off-site VCH testing before we can lift the Boil Water Notice. This is why the Notice stays in effect for at least 2 weeks even if the problem has been resolved. Once the Notice is lifted, we will return to a Water Quality Advisory until the media replacement in the Ion Exchange units is complete. More information on Notices and Advisories at Water Quality Notices

TEXT NOTIFICATION for WATER EMERGENCIES: We are setting a system for notification by text, to quickly inform the public on water outages and water quality issues.  If you or anyone you know would like to be texted about water emergencies, please let us know. We have very few replies so far!

EVENING MEETING? Please let us know if you would attend and evening meeting or information session. (No responses yet regarding this.)

NEXT MEETING: The next Regular Board meeting is scheduled for Wednesday Oct 16^th 1:30pm

FIREFIGHTERS STILL NEEDED! No experience necessary. Training, gear, and accident insurance coverage provided.  Contact Fire Chief Mark Robert 604-414-9662 or firechief@vananda.ca

CONTACT INFO: Please let us know your concerns! contact@vananda-id.ca – 604-486-7035

SUBSCRIBE: Be notified by email for outages and other events at Subscribe

WATER EMERGENCY: Water Operator Marianne Segers 1-604-315-1363