Hello Texada! Here are some notes on recent events:

METER PROJECT UPDATES

Requests For Proposals (RFPs) are scheduled to open at the beginning of August. They will be published on BCBid, in the PR Peak, and on our website. There are 4 RFPs – Site Works (installing about 165 new meter pits with setters – about 67 connections already have meter setters in pits), Meter and Software supply, and 2 smaller RFPs for handling storage of project materials.

Most water connections have been located. Sites that need extra work have been identified and plans created for dealing with these. 

A webpage of Frequently Asked Questions has been added to our site – see vananda-id.ca/meter-faq/

WATER USE – SEASONAL INCREASE

On June 30, we had the usual annual leap in water use. In previous years we have had to bypass the treatment plant to keep up with demand around this date. Bypass was not needed this year as water use was still lower after major leaks repairs in March.

We see this large increase every year during the long weekend at the end of June. Is it because of summer residents arriving and doing major cleans or setting up a water feature? Or perhaps swimming pools being filled? (Please fill pools gradually over several days.) The extremely high use does go down a bit after a couple of days.

SEASONAL WATER RESTRICTIONS

Stage 2 began on July 1.

Briefly, Stage 2 restricts lawn watering to one hour per week and washing of outside surfaces to specific situations. Watering of gardens is not allowed during the heat of the day. Full details and a chart can be seen at vananda-id.ca/water-restrictions/

NEXT MEETING

The next Regular Board meeting is scheduled for Wednesday Aug 13 at 1:30pm, upstairs at the Firehall.

CONTACT INFO

Questions or concerns? contact@vananda-id.ca – 604-486-7035

FIREFIGHTERS ALWAYS NEEDED!

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

WATER EMERGENCY: 1-672-882-9901

Hello Texada!; Here are some notes on recent events:

METER PILOT PROJECT UPDATES

We are about to go to tender after having made good progress finding connections. Overall attitude in the community is positive for this opportunity to move to universal metering. Thank you all for your cooperation and for keeping dogs inside as our operators are out and around. We welcome all questions and comments, and as always, everyone is welcome to attend monthly Board meetings. Many questions have been answered about the project on our website and questions/comments can be submitted from these pages.

CONTACT INFO

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

WEBSITE UPDATES

There is a lot of information on our website and not just about the Metering Project. You can see informational minutes from meetings, water testing results, water and fire restriction information, water conservation ideas, water production data, Priest Lake use & regulations, reports and studies, bylaws and policies, new owner information, waterline installation standards, and so much more! Our aim is to be completely transparent – we work for you.

WATER EMERGENCY CONTACT

There is a new phone number to call. Your call will be forwarded to the Water Operator who is on call for emergencies. The new number is  1-672-882-9901

WILDFIRE

Many wildfires in BC are human caused. VAID’s Fire Restrictions webpage also shows Coastal Fire Bans and has a map with Fire Danger Rating for BC. vananda-id.ca/fire-restrictions/

SEASONAL WATER RESTRICTIONS

Stage 2 begins on July 1.

Briefly, Stage 2 restricts lawn watering to one hour a day once per week and washing of outside surfaces to specific situations. If Stage 3 is called, there is no lawn watering, pool filling, or washing of vehicles, boats, or outside surfaces.

Full detail of restrictions and a chart can be seen at vananda-id.ca/water-restrictions/

NEXT MEETING

The next Regular Board meeting is scheduled for Wednesday July 16 at 1:30pm, upstairs at the Firehall.

FIREFIGHTERS ALWAYS NEEDED!

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

WATER EMERGENCY: 1-672-882-9901

Hello Texada!  Here are some notes on recent events:

METER PILOT PROGRAM: We have received funding from the Province of BC to cover all costs of installing meters to all connections, including the components needed for automated data collection. An informational community meeting was held on May 22. We have made a new webpage to share information on the project and address any concerns – vananda-id.ca/meter-pilot-project

Some background: The Provincial Government Budget 2024 committed to new measures to help mitigate and better respond to the impacts of climate emergencies. Priority infrastructure projects and programs to decrease flood risks and strengthen drought resiliency were highlighted. This included $50 million for a Water Meter Pilot Program to help fund metering projects in smaller communities throughout BC.

Assistance on planning, purchasing, and implementation is being provided by KWL and Econics.

BURN BAN began May 15; includes burn barrels. New for 2025: campfires for cooking and heat are allowed if under 18” x 18” (45 cm) with hose or pail of water on hand. Our Fire Restrictions webpage has links to the updated Bylaw as well as Coastal Fire Bans and a map with Fire Danger Rating for BC – vananda-id.ca/fire-restrictions/

WATER RESTRICTIONS: Changes made for 2025: Stage 1 began May 15 and Stage 2 begins on Jul 1.

Stage 1 restricts lawn watering to once per week. Stage 2 further restricts lawn watering to one hour a day once per week and washing of outside surfaces to specific situations. Drip irrigation is never restricted. Full detail of restrictions with a chart can be seen at vananda-id.ca/water-restrictions/

DRIP IRRIGATION PARTS: VAID will provide parts at wholesale cost to setup a drip irrigation system. To encourage water conservation, rainwater storage tanks also available at wholesale cost.

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 June 11 at 1:30pm, upstairs at the Firehall.

FIREFIGHTERS ALWAYS NEEDED! Contact Fire Chief Mark Robert 604-414-9662 or firechief@vananda.ca

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

Hello Texada!  Here are some notes on recent events:

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING was held on Saturday April 26. Reports, financials, and draft minutes are available on the website and at the office.

BURN BAN begins May 15 unless conditions cause the date to be brought forward. Usual annual dates for the burn ban are May 15 – Oct 15, burning barrels included. Campfires are ok at this point.

From the VAID “Fire Regulations Bylaw No. 184” on Open Air Fires (shortened for readability):

23. A fire in the “open air” means a fire out-of-doors, not in an incinerator, and excludes campfires. A competent Person will supervise, keep under control, and ensure that any equipment necessary for fire control is available. Fire located at least 3 m (10 feet) from any grass, shrubbery, or wooden fence; and 6 m (20 feet) from any building.

24. Backyard Burning (Category 2). A Category 2 open fire is a pile up to 2 metres high and 3 metres wide or burns stubble or grass over an area less than 2,000 square metres (½ acre).

VAID’s Fire Restrictions website page has links to the Bylaw as well as Coastal Fire Bans and a map with Fire Danger Rating for BC. vananda-id.ca/fire-restrictions/

WATER RESTRICTIONS Stage One begins May 15 and Stage 2 on Jul 1.

Briefly, Stage 1 restricts lawn watering to once per week, watering is done on odd or even dates based on house number, and filling of pools only allowed at specific times.

Stage 2 further restricts lawn watering to one hour a day once per week and washing of outside surfaces to specific situations. If Stage 3 is called, there is no lawn watering, pool filling, or washing of vehicles, boats, or outside surfaces.

Full detail of restrictions and a chart can be seen at vananda-id.ca/water-restrictions/

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 May 14 at 1:30pm, upstairs at the Firehall.

FIREFIGHTERS ALWAYS NEEDED! Contact Fire Chief Mark Robert 604-414-9662 or firechief@vananda.ca

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

Hello Texada!  Here are some notes on recent events:

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING will be held on Saturday April 26, 9.30 at the Legion in Van Anda. Reports and draft financials will be available on the website and at the office the week before. If you believe changes are needed, come to the AGM! This year, there will be either one or two Trustee positions for election. Do you or anyone you know want to be part of managing these important resources?

LEAK REPAIR SUCCESS! Recent repairs completed on Sturt Bay Rd and Smelter Rd, along with the 3 leaking hydrants temporarily shut off, have decreased water usage by more than half!!! These locations were identified by Velocity Water Service’s leak detection in early January and were not where we expected. The resulting savings on water treatment expendables such as filters, salt, hydro, and chlorine will pay for the service in a short time. We will have more accurate volumes to share after the next monthly analysis of the data logged at the plant.

TEXT NOTIFICATION: System is now live. If you want to be texted about important water issues, provide us with your mobile number and we’ll add you to the list.

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 Apr 16 at 1:30pm, upstairs at the Firehall.

FIREFIGHTERS ALWAYS NEEDED! Contact Fire Chief Mark Robert 604-414-9662 or firechief@vananda.ca

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