The most shocking fact in the most recent Squamish Chief wasn’t that Squamish residents use an average 564 litres of water per person per day – although that’s a huge amount of our fresh water down the drain.
And it’s not that Squamish is the nineth highest of 10 Lower Mainland municipalities in terms of water consumption rates.
The real shock is that 70 per cent of the town’s water system is made of asbestos and cement – and has less than 10 years left in its lifespan. The District of Squamish last week adopted a $23 million master plan for water, but clearly, we need to do more. We need to start paying attention to our infrastructure and attract companies that will generate more commercial and industrial taxes.
Over the past five years, utility rates in Squamish have increased by 60 per cent to help pay for the pricey water plan. But unless we can boost our commercial and industrial tax base, the cost of replacing most of the Squamish water system and getting rid of asbestos will continue to be borne almost exclusively by residents.
No one wants to see huge increases in utility and home property tax rates, which also drive up rent costs. To help rebuild our infrastructure, we need more development – not just townhouse construction, rather long-term industrial investment that creates jobs and generates tax dollars.
Oddly, the District of Squamish, despite all its recent hirings, still has no economic development officer. The job was slashed after the previous officer moved on to another job last December. At the time, StartUp Squamish was still in operation and helping spur economic growth, but that has since closed as well.
It’s time for the district to hire someone who can help attract industrial and commercial taxpayers to set up shop here. That will also bring more jobs to our town, which due to the upgraded highway is now becoming a bedroom community to Vancouver.
And it’s time for us to turn off the taps in our homes and start conserving water. British Columbians are known worldwide for our pristine environment, and the waste of our fresh water supply shows short-range thinking. Our children and grandchildren will need fresh water.
No one should be using 564 litres a day.
Let’s reduce the flow of water, and start the flow of industrial and commercial tax payments.
– Editor Christine Endicott
