Several improvements to East SookeB次元官网网址檚 drinking water system could cost $160 million, a recent report estimates.

The Capital Regional District commissioned a study last summer to investigate water servicing options to expand the Juan de Fuca Water Distribution System in the Seatree, Anderson Cove and Mount Matheson areas.

B次元官网网址淩esults indicate that the expansion is administratively feasible but would require significant and costly infrastructure to service properties to current zoning,B次元官网网址� the report said.

The costs to upgrade four designated areas range from $16 million to $57 million and donB次元官网网址檛 include individual property hookups.

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B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a very expensive proposition to extend water to an area that doesnB次元官网网址檛 have water now,B次元官网网址� said Coun. Kevin Pearson, SookeB次元官网网址檚 representative on the Juan de Fuca Water Commission.

The areas examined in the study included Sooke to Anderson Cove, Anderson Cove to Gillespie Road, Sooke to East Sooke Road and Extension to the Sooke boundary.

The study explored several options to provide potable water to a population of 624 to 3,133 in East Sooke with the intention of increasing the service population to 5,923.

B次元官网网址淎s a general rule, CRD water will provide water if there are enough people who want it, but you will have to pay for it,B次元官网网址� said Al Wickheim, the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area director.

B次元官网网址淧eople in East Sooke say they want water cheaper, but they donB次元官网网址檛 want anyone else to move here to pay for it.B次元官网网址�

East Sooke has faced the issue of safe and accessible water for decades, but now itB次元官网网址檚 even more urgent because of climate change.

Wickheim said due to the demand for housing and climate change, wells are getting drier sooner and staying drier longer.

Hooking up to the water system is prohibitive, ranging from $45,000 to $77,000 per property if water is available.

B次元官网网址淵ou could have high-density housing that could reduce hookup costs per house, but with that is the overall demand,B次元官网网址� Wickheim said. B次元官网网址淚f rain is not happening here to fill your well, itB次元官网网址檚 also not happening at Sooke Lake. WeB次元官网网址檙e all in the same boat here.B次元官网网址�

Wickheim is promoting water conservation to solve the water woes in East Sooke. He hopes to apply for grants to build rainwater catchment systems for residents not on piped water.

There are huge ramifications for Sooke, too.

The report suggested that 2,700 homes could be added in north Sooke and parts of East Sooke.

B次元官网网址淭raditionally, Sooke has centred significant growth in the sewer-specified area. This growth is definitely outside that area. ThatB次元官网网址檚 a big implication for the municipality for water servicing,B次元官网网址� Pearson said.

Sooke, East Sooke, Colwood, Metchosin and View Royal receive water from the Juan de Fuca Water Distribution System. With 15 storage reservoirs, 37 pumping stations, 435 kilometres of water main, 6,158 valves, 1,558 fire hydrants and more than 18,000 retail water meters, the system services approximately 60,000 customers.

editor@sookenewsmirror.com
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