Ucluelet residents are being asked to approve borrowing up to $13 million for a new water-treatment system for the community of slightly more than 2,000 on the west coast of Vancouver Island.
The goal is to put an end to what’s known locally as “Ukee brown water days.”
Council will be permitted to borrow the money unless 10 per cent of electors fill out a form in opposition.
Aug. 8 is the deadline to submit a form opposing the plan. Those in favour are not required to take any action.
The total estimated cost of the project is $20.7 million, of which $7 million will come from federal and provincial funding through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program’s green infrastructure stream.
Ucluelet has gone through decades of water-quality challenges, with water that is thick and reddish-brown at times, the municipality says on its website. “The taste is unpleasant and the discolouration is known to leave a residue which stains laundry, dinnerware, bathtubs and sinks.”
Duane Lawrence, chief administrative officer for the community, said during times of high demand, naturally occurring minerals that have settled in the system turn up in the local water.
“So this is obviously a huge challenge for some of our tourist-accommodation providers and for our businesses.”
Having a filtration system means the municipality will be able to meet or exceed drinking-water quality standards at all times, Lawrence said.
Despite the colour and taste, Ucluelet has not had to issue drinking-water advisories in many years, he said.
In January, the Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ (Ucluelet) First Nation issued an emergency alert when a water supply line from the municipality broke and cut off the potable-water supply to the First Nation. In that case, water was trucked in until a replacement line was put in place.
Ucluelet’s water sources are high in iron and manganese, the municipality said. When chlorine is added, it creates coagulated iron and manganese.
Planned upgrades would see Ucluelet’s water treated so it meets criteria within Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality, the municipality said.
If the measure is approved, the borrowing period would be no longer than 30 years. Lawrence hopes the municipality won’t need the full $13 million, but said a contingency has been built into the estimate in case it does.
Construction would be completed by 2026. The project would see upgraded treatment systems in a field using wells and the other water source, Mercantile Creek.
A large water-storage facility is also planned.
