Intake Extension - Part 4

The new intake lines are ready and now we wait for calm weather so they can be towed out into the Lake and connected to the ends of our old lines.

The original plan was for Saturday morning, but there was a strong north wind and whitecaps were zipping along on the Lake. Not the kind of weather we were hoping for.

All we need is a few hours of calm weather (warm would also be nice...) and a crew of volunteers, all to happen at the same time.

Intake Extension - Part 3

The diver removed the old intakes the other day. As the photo shows, they were certainly showing the effects of being in the lake for 30 years.

Some of the protective mesh has come off and there was much algae and muck on the pipes.

Two large metal flanges were installed so we can bolt on the new intake lines as they are connected, hopefully in a few days.

I was struck by how shallow the pumps are, even considering the low water level in the lake. Right now, they are probably no more than 5 feet below the surface.

Intake Extension - Part 2

The pipe for our intake extension arrived on Friday. Two-hundred feet of HDPE pipe complete with welded flanges and miscellaneous parts.

We were able to have the trucker meet our group of helpers at Mirror Lake to unload, allowing us to carry the pieces down to the Lake where we tied them to several flotation devices. Later in the morning, we towed the assembled flotilla around to Beauty Beach where they will be assembled in readiness for being attached to our existing pipes.

Thanks to the group of neighbours who helped unload and to another neighbour for the loan of a boat and motor for the tow around the corner.

The project continues.

Intake Extension - Part 1

Many of you have probably seen where the two intake pipes disappear into the Lake. You may also know that they only go out into the Lake maybe 30 feet and probably aren't even that deep. This explains why we get so much silt in the filters, especially in the spring.

Current standards require intakes to be at least 100 feet deep and we have a project underway this spring to extend our intakes to conform with that standard.

Pipe has been ordered, we're arranging for a small barge to be available to work on and we've been coordinating with a local diver to have the work done, hopefully before the spring runoff really gets underway.

As usual, we will likely need a small group of volunteers to help out in various ways. We may also need access to a couple of small boats to pull the floating pipe from Mirror Lake to our intake location and to assist when the divers are working. Please let your Water Board know if you might be able to help.

Water Conservation becomes news in the West Kootenays

CBC News played a brief interview this morning with the mayor of Castlegar. That city has committed to a completion of a water meter installation project within 5 years. The mayor's comments were related to general water conservation, the cost of treatment and how reducing water use would save the community lots of money.

A Mini Fire Interface Project

Thanks to Bill, Gord, Bill and Dave for spending the morning cleaning up the brush and fire hazard around the Treatment building. This is the second year this area has received some work and the situation is starting to look much better.

Denver Siding Experiences Rate Shock

The Valley Voice - March 10, 2010 - Facing a operating deficit of over $8000, residents of Denver Siding agreed to a water rate increase. The move will raise rates from $250/year to $400. Even this won't completely solve the problem; that would take an increase in rates to around $540.

There are many problems this small water system is facing, aside from their money woes. The system doesn't meet current standards and is one of many systems on a Boil Water Advisory for years. They have about $50,000 in their reserve fund, but that can't be used for operating costs. Upgrades to the system, where that money could be used, might cost $300,000 or more.

This leaves Denver Siding residents considering the prospect of asking to join the Village of New Denver so they can connect to their water system. This would mean an increase in property taxes, because the rates in the Village are higher than in Denver Siding. Some residents are considering drilling their own wells, believing that the wells would achieve payback in 20 years. Of course, if you're running your own private system, you shoulder all the costs, deal with all the breakdowns and need to worry about where the water table is and how it might be affecting your water supply. And if the area joins with New Denver anyway..... No easy solutions here.

Not a happy situation.