Water-wise decisions are becoming increasingly important for all communities.
In a recent Metro Vancouver video, protection of the watersheds providing Greater Vancouver’s drinking water offers some clarity to recent community discussions related to FortisBC’s Mount Mulligan compressor station site and our watershed.
In general, “designated” watersheds are watersheds that supply community drinking water. Metro Vancouver’s drinking water originates from three primary watersheds – Capilano, Seymour and Coquitlam – the most protected watersheds in B.C.
There are no compressor stations or industry-related facilities within these watershed protected areas. Fortis’s Eagle Mountain compressor station in Coquitlam and Langley compressor station are downstream and “outside” the protected watershed boundaries. Conversely, the Mount Mulligan compressor station site would be partially within the Stawamus River watershed – a designated community watershed – and uphill from the intake for Squamish’s backup water supply.
Looking back, the original 10-inch pipeline, installed about 26 years ago, was allowed through the Stawamus and Indian River watersheds – both designated water protection zones.
The south part of the pipeline through the Coquitlam Reservoir watershed was controversial and was subject to a 10-week inquiry, commissioned by the provincial government.
The pipeline through this section is 12-inch, and as indicated by Fortis, would have been in anticipation of future increase demand and the inability to regain access to the Greater Vancouver Water District’s protected watershed area.
Squamish residents are seeking similar protection for our community’s water supply areas and understandably reject locating a compressor station at Mount Mulligan.
Was the community’s watershed considered by the ministers in granting Fortis an EA certificate? The B.C. EAO’s assessment and technical reports to the Ministers, show that the Stawamus River watershed as Squamish’s backup water supply and a broad range of associated issues brought up by the community, are absent. Why?
Fortis’ site change from the industrial park was in response to community and Squamish Nation concerns. Are too few aware of Mount Mulligan’s proximity to our drinking water sources and considerations for protecting it?
Is a compressor station at Mount Mulligan an acceptable land use and in our community’s long-term interest? During the permitting phase, when Fortis applies to the SLRD for rezoning, the public will have an opportunity to say! It could be our community’s watershed moment.
For anyone seeking a better understanding, Metro Vancouver video on their water supply and protection of watersheds can be found at metrovancouver.org/media-room/video-gallery/the-sustainable-region.
Star Morris, Squamish
