This month, the District of Squamish discovered its underground infrastructure is leaking.
It's not overly surprising some repairs would be needed given how old some of these pipes are. No big deal, right?
But did anyone expect to discover such incredible waste back in June when municipal engineering director Brian Barnett first suggested the inspection?
Initial estimates suggest 86 per cent of the town's underground water transportation installations are leaking, which could mean a loss of as much as 50 litres per second.
That type of water loss -not water use mind you, but water loss - would be a jaw-dropping shock to any other part of the world.
But here in Squamish, water is spent like well, like water. It's squandered at the worst rate in Canada.
In Squamish, more than 700 litres of water is used per person per day. The national average, meanwhile, is about 430. And even that average is well above other Western countries. In Australia, for example, the average national use is 285 litres per person per day.
Squamish Coun. Patricia Heintzman has for years been making the case for water metering in homes and businesses throughout the community, armed with the statistic that metered communities in Canada use an average of 260 litres per person per day.
Heintzman also tabled a unanimously supported motion for a bylaw requiring new developments limit faucet and shower flow rates, and toilet and urinal flush volumes. Further, the bylaw would require new construction to install dual flush toilets and other low flow systems
Heintzman is one of many locals who are hyper aware of how unacceptable it's become to waste water in such volumes, and a growing number of us are doing our part to reduce consumption.
That momentum must continue to grow, but how can the district get residents onboard if it turns out the municipality is the worst offender?
The district must do whatever it takes to fix these leaks.
Meanwhile residents and businesses must continue to be hyper vigilant about water consumption.
A few tips to consider include: Storing drinking water in a jug in the refrigerator, rather than waiting for the tap to run cold. This will also help your refrigerator stay down in temperature.
If you must let the tap run until water runs hot or cold, collect the cold and use it on your plants and garden.
Turn the tap off when brushing teeth, when shaving and when applying shampoo and conditioner.
Finally, there's the old adage "If it's yellow let it mellow. If it's brown, flush it down."
It's time to get over the notion that we're surrounded by it, so who cares?
Fresh water is a finite resource -we have to start treating it accordingly.
-Sylvie Paillard
