A complete fire ban is now in effect due to increasing fire danger across the region. This includes backyard burning, burn barrels, and all open fires.

We extend our thanks to all the Texada Island volunteer firefighters for their continued work as conditions dry out. Please follow all restrictions and remain vigilant to help keep the community safe.

Are you interested in joining your local volunteer Fire Department? Please contact Fire Chief Mark Robert at 604-414-9662 for more information

Water Meter Project – Progress and System Improvements                

The water meter installation project continues to move forward. As of mid May, 178 meters have been installed, with 56 remaining across both Davis Ventures and VAID crews. Although the project is running slightly behind schedule, substantial completion is now expected in August.

The project is already producing benefits. Several leaks have been identified through meter data and field work, allowing repairs that reduce unnecessary water loss and improve system efficiency.

Public Information Meeting – Late June

A public meeting will be held near the end of June to present metered billing options, explain how the system will work, and answer questions from property owners.

The confirmed date and details will be posted on the website as soon as they are finalized.

Water Use Rising – Please Be Prudent

Water use is increasing as we move into summer. Summer long weekends are historically one of the highest demand periods of the year.

While consumption remains lower following leak repairs completed in early 2025, we ask everyone to be especially mindful of water use during peak weekends to help maintain system stability.

Call for Contractors

The District continues to seek qualified contractors for upcoming small-scale infrastructure and maintenance work. This periodic call is part of our commitment to fairness and transparency, and is not a reflection on the performance of our current contractors, with whom we remain very satisfied. Interested contractors are encouraged to contact the office for details on current and future opportunities.

Contact Info

Office: 604 486 7035

Email: contact@vananda-id.ca

Website: vananda-id.ca

WATER EMERGENCY: 1 672 882 9901

A reminder that the backyard burn ban begins May 15, the same date that Stage 1 water restrictions come into effect.

Stage 1 water restrictions mean:

• Odd‑numbered houses may water on odd‑numbered days
• Even‑numbered houses may water on even‑numbered days
• Lawn watering is allowed once per week
• Filling or adding water to a swimming pool, hot tub, garden pond, or decorative fountain is permitted only between noon and 4 p.m.

Please be aware that the long weekend at the beginning of June is typically the highest water‑use period of the year. In some past years, system demand was so high that the water treatment plant had to be bypassed. While overall consumption remains lower following leak repairs completed in early 2025, we ask everyone to remain mindful of water use during these peak days.

The water meter project continues to move ahead. Approximately 60 percent of meter setters have now been installed, and installations are expected to be completed by the end of May. A public meeting in June or July will be held to present billing options and answer questions. More information will be posted on the website as it becomes available.

Finally, please remember that we want to hear from you. If you have questions, concerns, or suggestions, contact us. We value open communication and want to work together with the community to ensure everyone is informed and satisfied.

Office: 604-486-7035 Email: contact@vananda-id.ca Website: vananda-id.ca

WATER EMERGENCY: 1-672-882-9901

It is that time of year again. Our ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING will be held on Saturday April 18^th at 9:30am at the Legion in Van Anda. Reports and draft financials will be available on the website and at the office the week prior. If you believe changes are needed, come to the AGM! This year, there will be two Trustee positions for election. Do you, or anyone you know, want to be part of managing our important resources?

NEXT MEETING

The next Regular Board meeting is scheduled for Wednesday Apr 15^th at 1:30pm in the community meeting room in the Credit Union.

METER PILOT PROJECT

We have reached a milestone; fifty percent of the meters have been installed. A big thank-you to our great community for your support of this project, and to a fantastic installation team.

WILDFIRE

Do you want to be part of an organization that provides a vital community service? You might consider joining the Wildfire Fire Suppression team focused on fighting forest fires. The BC S-100 ticket means you could also help off-island as needs arise in other parts of the province. Please contact Fire Chief Mark Robert 604-414-9662 or firechief@vananda.ca for more information.

CONTACT INFO

Please let us know your questions or concerns! contact@vananda-id.ca – 604-486-7035

WATER EMERGENCY

No water, low water pressure, and leaks: always contact the Water Operator 1-672-882-9901.

Your message will be forwarded directly to the Water Operator.

Thank you to everyone in our community for staying engaged and informed. We’d like to share a few important updates and reminders.

Meter Project Update

The water meter project continues to make good progress. More meters are now installed, tested, and online, helping us better understand system use and losses. Thanks to everyone for your patience as we work through the project. We are unearthing several treasures; from a horseshoe to a water main we didn’t know we had. And remember to watch out for road work. Safety is everyone’s responsibility.

Parcel Taxes

A lot of people are asking what Parcel Taxes are about. The short answer is funding for water infrastructure. This supplies potable water to customers, and for fire fighting. The same system supplies homes and fire hydrants.

The long answer is on our website: https://vananda-id.ca/water-rates/

Board Meeting

New accessible location. The next monthly Board Meeting is Wednesday March 11^th at 1:30pm in the Community Meeting Room in the Credit Union.

Van Anda Fire Department

Are you interested in joining the department? Give us a call, send us an email, or drop by the Firehall on practice night, Monday evenings at 6pm

Contact Us

If you have questions or need assistance, please reach out: 604-486-7035 or contact@vananda-id.ca

For water emergencies, phone 1-672-882-9901

Thank you for your continued cooperation and support as we continue to improve water services for our community.

Thank you to everyone in our community for staying engaged and informed. We’d like to share a few important updates and reminders.

Court of Revision

Saturday, February 7, 2026

10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

The Court of Revision provides an opportunity for Trustees to hear and resolve concerns related to Parcel Tax assessments and other related matters.

An appointment is not required, but booking one in advance will help speed up the process.

To make an appointment or to get more information: phone 604-486-7035 or email contact@vananda-id.ca

Invoices Reminder

If you have not yet received your annual invoice, please contact the office so we can ensure your account information is up to date.

2026 Rate Increase Report

This is a reminder that a detailed report on the 2026 rate increase is available. vananda-id.ca/2026-water-rate-update/

The report explains the reasons for the increase, including rising operational costs and steps being taken to improve fairness and long-term affordability. Thank you to those who have already taken the time to review it.

Meter Project Update

The water meter project continues to make good progress. More meters are now installed, tested, and online, helping us better understand system use and losses. This work is an important step toward improved efficiency, leak detection, and fairer billing in the future.

Contact Us

If you have questions or need assistance, please reach out: 604-486-7035 or contact@vananda-id.ca

For water emergencies, phone 1-672-882-9901

Thank you for your continued cooperation and support as we work to improve water services for the Van Anda community.

As we reflect on the past year, we want to extend our sincere thanks to all our residents for your patience and support during what has been a very challenging year. Despite the difficulties, we’ve made important progress to ensure a continued, reliable water supply and to build a foundation for better affordability in the future. We look forward to working together in the coming year to keep our community strong, resilient, and well-served.

Annual Invoices

Water Tolls and Parcel Tax invoices for 2026 will be mailed out in early January. If you do not receive your invoice by mid-January, please contact us so we can ensure your account is up to date.

Annual newsletters for both Water and the Fire Department will be included with your invoice.

2026 Rate Increase

We’re committed to keeping water service safe, reliable, and transparent. For 2026 the average household is seeing around a 13% increase. Key drivers include higher costs for treatment plant parts, cartridge filters, and labor, plus adjustments to ensure leak-related costs are shared more fairly across all customer categories.

A full report with details, FAQs, and tables is available here.

VAID Payment Plan

VAID offers a payment plan option. For more information, please visit the payments page. Then, email or mail us your proposed payment plan details and make the first payment by March 10. If you need assistance with planning or have questions, please contact us—we’re here to help.

Meter Project Updates

More meters have been installed, and the new Copper Queen line installation is complete.

All costs for this project are covered by Provincial Government funding.

Working on your waterline?

Please check with us before making changes to your waterlines—recent cut-offs have occurred for those who didn’t!

Contact & Support

Questions or feedback? Email contact@vananda-id.ca or call 604-486-7035.

Water emergency: 1-672-882-9901

Please help us welcome Tyler Andres to the VAID Water Operations team! Tyler started training as a water operator on Nov 1, and his strong work ethic and upbeat attitude are already making a big difference.

METER PROJECT UPDATES

Work has started on installing a new water line for the Copper Queen area. These homes were previously connected through lines running across properties, so this upgrade will make things much more reliable. Please take extra care in the area and use alternate routes when you can.

We’ve received the meters and most of the hardware. VAID operators have already installed some meters where a meter setter was already in place.

All costs for this project are covered by Provincial Government funding.

PLANNED WATER OUTAGES

There will be water outages during the meter installation project, usually affecting only small sections at a time. We’ll post notices on the website, Facebook page, and send emails. We’ll also try to call you before your meter is installed—so if your phone number has changed, please update it with us.

RATE INCREASE FOR 2026

Heads up that rates will increase by at least 10% in 2026. A full report explaining the reasons behind this will be available.

FIREFIGHTERS NEEDED!

The Fire Department needs volunteers! Training, gear, 24-hour accident coverage, a volunteer tax credit, and more are provided, with all costs covered.

If you’re interested, contact Fire Chief Mark Robert at 604-414-9662 or firechief@vananda.ca

NEXT MEETING

The next Regular Board Meeting will be held Wednesday, Dec 17 at 1:30pm, upstairs at the Firehall.

CONTACT INFO

Questions or feedback? contact@vananda-id.ca | 604-486-7035

WATER EMERGENCY: 1-672-882-9901

In Appreciation of Bob Timms

Dear Timms Family,

On behalf of the Van Anda Improvement District, we wish to extend our sincere appreciation for Bob’s long-standing service to our community. His dedication supported all of us more than we may ever fully realize.

Recently, Bob’s brother Dan shared how it was Bob’s persistence, determination and clear-eyed advocacy that led to the acquisition and installation of our new water tank. How he refused to accept anything less than what the community deserved. “Well, that’s not acceptable,” he’d say. And with that unwavering resolve, he ensured that Van Anda received the treatment, respect and attention it needed from the Regional District. That resolve has benefited every household here.

Bob and Maggie have been central to this community for many years. Their care, their time and their continued presence ripple outward in ways that will be felt for generations. We are deeply grateful for everything they have brought to the life of this village.

Please accept our heartfelt thanks and recognition for Bob’s years of service, commitment and community stewardship. His work continues to nourish and protect us every day.

With gratitude,

• Van Anda Improvement District Trustees and Staff

A community presentation was held at the Legion on Oct 9 – thanks to those who attended. Notes from the meeting are this website page.

Work has begun with Davis Ventures performing the site work of installing meter setters in pits near the property line for about 150 service connections. 86 water connections already have meter setters into which meters will be installed in the next few months.

Meters have been ordered from Flow Systems, who handle Neptune products. Software and billing setup is in progress.

The aggregate bins next to the Firehall were built by Davis Ventures to hold the materials needed for the site work.  We have purchased a storage container to store the parts while work is underway. Both the aggregate bins and storage container are legacy purchases and will be used for other purposes after the project is complete.

All costs are covered by Provincial Government Funding.

WATER RESTRICTIONS ENDED

Water restrictions ended Sep 30. There was no need to move to Stage 3 this year. Water production has dropped significantly in the last month, following seasonal patterns.

WALL ST PUMPHOUSE UPDATES

New pressure tanks have been installed at the Wall St pumphouse.  Some residents report improved pressure. Electrical work is underway to enable easy switching to a backup pump when needed and to prepared for generator use during power outages.

FIREFIGHTERS ALWAYS NEEDED!

Training and gear provided, as well as 24-hr accident coverage, volunteer tax credit, and more.  All costs covered by the Fire Department.

Contact Fire Chief Mark Robert 604-414-9662 or firechief@vananda.ca

NEXT MEETING

The next Regular Board meeting is scheduled for Wednesday Nov 12 at 1:30pm, upstairs at the Firehall.

CONTACT INFO

Questions? Concerns? Feedback? contact@vananda-id.ca – 604-486-7035

WATER EMERGENCY: 1-672-882-9901

Proposals for Site Works and Meter & Software Supply have been awarded, and site work is underway.

Come to a presentation at the Legion this month to learn more – date to be announced on our website and Facebook. Email and text notices will also be sent.

This meeting will be held on a weekday evening. Coffee, tea, and dessert will be available.

Let us know your contact info to ensure you receive notification, or subscribe through our website at vananda-id.ca/subscribe

FIREFIGHTERS ALWAYS NEEDED!

Training and gear provided, as well as 24-hr accident coverage, volunteer tax credit, and more.  All costs covered by the Fire Department.

Contact Fire Chief Mark Robert 604-414-9662 or firechief@vananda.ca

NEXT MEETING

The next Regular Board meeting is scheduled for Wednesday Oct 15 at 1:30pm, upstairs at the Firehall.

CONTACT INFO

Questions? Concerns? Feedback? contact@vananda-id.ca – 604-486-7035

WATER EMERGENCY: 1-672-882-9901

Requests For Proposals (RFPs) were posted on our website and BC Bid at the beginning of August. The mandatory site visit was held Aug 19 for contractors considering the Site Works RFP – installation of meter setters. Closing date is Aug 29 with evaluations completed by Sep 10 and awards/notice to proceed on Sep 15.

All but 20 of the existing 234 connections have been found after much searching by the Water Operators. The locations have been recorded using a map app and include details and pictures.

Next phase involves purchasing the standard parts to supply the contractor who is awarded the Site Work part of the project (concrete meter pit boxes and lids, meter setters, standard compression fittings, and municipal pipe) for the 148 connections that do not have meter setters already installed. It has been standard practice for VAID to install meter setters in new connections for at least 20 years.

WELCOME BERNARDO

Bernardo Reyes has been working as a Water Operator for VAID on a casual basis since April. In August, his position became permanent part time. Glad to have you on the team!

EMERGENCIES CALL 9-1-1

911 can put the call through to Wildfire if needed.

Fire size can double in minutes – call immediately!

COMMUNITY NOTIFICATION OF EMERGENCIES

Did you know that you can receive automatic notification of emergency situations via phone, email, or text message? qathet Regional District’s Community Notification System is designed to spread important messages for events closer to home than those handled by the Provincial and Federal system Alert Ready. Sign up at qathet.ca/services/emergency-services/emergency-preparedness/

FIREFIGHTERS ALWAYS NEEDED!

Contact Fire Chief Mark Robert phone 604-414-9662 or email firechief@vananda.ca

NEXT MEETING

The next Regular Board meeting is scheduled for Wednesday Sep 17 at 1:30pm, upstairs at the Firehall.

CONTACT INFO

Questions? Concerns? Feedback? contact@vananda-id.ca – 604-486-7035

WATER EMERGENCY: 1-672-882-9901