7/31/2019 062912_Info Letter to Gold Bridge Residents_water System

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Members : Distr ict of Squamish, Resort Municipa l i ty of Whist ler, Vi l lage of Pemberton,Distr ict of Li l looet , E lectora l Areas A, B, C, and D,

located within School Distr icts No. 48 and No. 74

Box 219, 1350 Aster Street,Pemberton, BC V0N 2L0Ph. 604-894-6371, 800-298-7753F: 604-894-6526

info@slrd.bc.ca www.slrd.bc.ca

June 29, 2012

Dear Community Member of Gold Bridge,

Summer is upon us, and for the past two years this has been the time of year when the water

system has proven to be unable to keep up with the demands of the community. The Squamish-

Lillooet Regional District (SLRD) has plans to upgrade the well system, as discussed further

below.

The purpose of this letter is to provide you with a brief overview of the history of the Gold

Bridge water system, as well as an update about what we are planning to do to ensure that

moving forward, the community of Gold Bridge will have access to an adequate year-round

supply of clean and safe drinking water.

Background:

Prior to 2010, the community of Gold Bridge obtained its water from Fergusson (Sucker) Creek.

Because it was a surface water source, the water was at high risk of contamination from fecal

coliforms (the bacteria found in manure), which resulted in a continuous Boil Water Advisory in

effect since 1990.

In 2007, responsibility for the Gold Bridge water system was transferred from the Gold Bridge

Improvement District to the SLRD, at which point, the SLRD began making plans to upgrade thewater system which included the development of a ground water source and supporting

infrastructure. Upon receipt of grant funding work began on the project, with construction

starting in October 2009 and finishing in the spring of 2010.

In July 2010 the level of water in the reservoir began to fall, and it became apparent that the new

system was unable to keep up with peak summer water demands. At this point, the SLRD

instituted watering restrictions and switched the system back to the surface water supply. This

resulted in a Boil Water Advisory being issued by the Interior Health Authority (IHA).

Consultation with the water system engineers pointed to leaks in some of the old piping as the

likely cause of the capacity problem. The SLRD repaired the identified leaks in the fall of 2010and replaced an old section of pipe in the spring of 2011. Unfortunately, by mid-July of 2011,

levels in the reservoir fell once again which forced the utility to switch the system back to the

surface water source. Subsequently, the IHA issued another Boil Water Advisory.

After numerous discussions both with the project engineers as well as with independent

hydrogeological engineers we have concluded the existing pump system is not sufficient to meet

the peak summer water demands of the community. Through these discussions weve also

7/31/2019 062912_Info Letter to Gold Bridge Residents_water System

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