The Van Anda Improvement District has finalized the 2026 water rate adjustments. We understand that rate increases can be challenging, especially for households on fixed incomes, and we want to provide context on both the timing and reasoning behind these changes.

The annual budget is prepared in late November and December, with invoices issued in January. Because operating costs and prices can change quickly, the budget cannot be finalized much earlier. We notified the community as soon as it was confirmed that rates would increase.

For 2026, the overall system budget rises about 9%, with the average household seeing an increase of approximately 13%. Key drivers include higher costs for treatment plant parts, cartridge filters, and labor, along with adjustments to ensure leak-related costs are shared more fairly across all customer categories.

Planned investments in essential water treatment equipment are critical to maintaining safe, compliant drinking water and ensuring the long-term reliability and sustainability of our system.

We recognize that the annual invoice represents a significant expense for many households. To help, payment plans are available so costs can be spread over time rather than paid in a lump sum.

The full report, including detailed tables and FAQs, is now available. We appreciate your understanding and continued support as we work to maintain a safe and reliable water system for our community.

Read the full 2026 Water Rate Increase Report ➝

Copper Queen Avenue will be closed to all traffic between Vananda Avenue and Smelter Avenue starting Wednesday afternoon, December 17, 2025.

The work is expected to be completed by Wednesday evening, but the closure may extend into Thursday morning, December 18, 2025 if required.

Key Details

• Location: Copper Queen Avenue (between Vananda Ave and Smelter Ave)
• Closure Period: Begins Wednesday afternoon; may last until Thursday morning
• Access: No through traffic permitted during closure
• Detours: Please use alternate routes around the closure zone

We appreciate your patience and cooperation while this work is carried out.

The Improvement District is pleased to report that the leak affecting the distribution system has been located and temporarily stopped. Operators and our regular contractor performed interim work yesterday to halt the water loss, and a permanent repair is scheduled for Monday.

Thanks to this prompt response, the community’s water supply was not impacted.

We appreciate the community’s engagement and suggestions during the investigation. Some residents have asked about installing additional mainline meters to help isolate leaks more quickly. While customer meters are being installed and are covered 100% by government funding, mainline meters are significantly more expensive. They require large, engineered chambers capable of long-term traffic loading and controlled access, which makes installation far more complex than residential metering—and currently, there is no government funding available for mainline meters.

The Board continues to review these types of system improvements as part of long-term infrastructure planning, balancing cost, benefit, and practicality.

As always, residents are encouraged to report any unusual water flow or activity, as community observations often help narrow down issues faster.

Thank you for your patience and support.

Residents are advised to be alert for leaks in the water system. Water production has doubled, and the plant is nearing capacity. Please report any leaks immediately to the Water Operator at1-672-882-9901 or the office at 604-486-7035

Thank you for your cooperation.