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 The entire chlorination system is outdated and will be all new as part of the Water Treatment Plant upgrades scheduled for completion summer 2025.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