Alternative Water Option

I have four main frustrations with Lantzville’s path to water.  

1. The fact that new development in Lantzville is the major beneficiary of the Nanaimo agreement as opposed to existing residents.
2. Payment for the Nanaimo agreement is being tied to development.
3. There was no referendum on the Nanaimo agreement.  I think this is ethically wrong.  This impacts the entire community, the entire community should have a voice in the outcome.
4. The lack of solutions presented for water supply.

This post speaks to item 4.  

I know there were other solutions explored over the years.  These solutions have not been discussed in any detail in public.  Given some of the deficiencies with the current water agreement with Nanaimo and how it was signed prior to public consultation, one cannot help but question the motives behind such actions.

I would like to present one of the “other” solutions to you.  We’ll see if it makes sense together.

The Pleasant Valley Option:

There are two wells in the Pleasant Valley area on property owned by the Caillet family.  Each well produces approximately 850 usgpm.   Enough for 3400 residences, if both wells were utilized at max capacity. 

Lantzville was offered water from these wells.  The District estimated a cost of $5,000,000 for this option.

Lantzville’s OCP is based on a maximum population of 5,000 people – or about 2,270 homes.   This population level would utilize 66% of the maximum capacity of both wells combined.  Essentially, this means there is plenty of water available from that source.

Attached below is some comparative information between the Pleasant Valley option and the Nanaimo water agreement in its current form.

 


















Note the average connection charge per user for the Pleasant Valley option is based on the 1500 “up front” connections.  If we base the average on the maximum build out based on the OCP (~ 2,270 homes), the average connection charge lowers to $2,200 per user.   Two and a half times lower than the Nanaimo connection charge.

Next is a list of Pros and Cons regarding the Pleasant Valley option.  

I think there is a pretty compelling list of pros with the Pleasant Valley solution.  What happened to it?  Why was it not pursued further?

Was there a reluctance to negotiate with the ALR that moved this solution off the table?  I certainly hope this was not the case.

Was it that some particular Councillors wanted a solution with Nanaimo, and Nanaimo only?

This Pleasant Valley option seems pretty attractive when one looks at the numbers and considers the benefits to the broader community.