Pool Police

Has this year's Greater Vernon drought situation created a new bureaucracy?  Apparently, it's been planned for years as part of scheduled activities, reports the Greater Vernon Water Authority.

Yep, flying soon over your backyard will be the Pool Police.

Pool companies and landscapers are seeing contracts cancelled, and crews laid off because it is now illegal to fill swimming pools.

Responsible for the inane ("s" intentionally omitted) end-of-April situation is our very own Greater Vernon Water Authority, whose lack of planning has placed the sizeable investments of homeowners, golf courses and a myriad of other businesses in jeopardy.  Busy with the Duteau Creek Water Treatment plant over the last two years--which is today three months behind schedule but on budget (an oxymoron to any business person)--the water authority last year made a feeble attempt at increasing water storage by raising the height of one dam. 

The snow didn't arrive this winter.
Or very much the year before, and April reservoir levels are at their lowest in 40 years.
Spring rains have been hit-and-miss, yet weather systems arrive daily at the Aberdeen Plateau where water storage is concentrated. See photos of the almost-daily weather systems over the plateau (taken from Highlands Golf).

Add to that the 200+ homes previously on Antwerp Springs wells 1 and 2 that were immediately contaminated by a late winter rain on frozen ground (which sent livestock feces into the shallow wells) are now, presumably, on the Duteau Creek source.

Back to pools.
The immediate Stage 3 water restrictions have created the "unpopular" ban on filling of pools, so described by water utility manager Al Cotsworth.  In a 5 p.m. phone call Friday to Highlands Golf, Al Cotsworth stated "golf course watering" was very unpopular among the public (and while he didn't say so, Highlands Golf isn't unaware of one Coldstream Councillor--who also sites on the water board as a director--who never was keen that Highlands was built, evidenced by his opposition last year to the new liquor licence application).  Not so among the golfers here during the weekend, many of whom encouraged a petition "to hold the water authority's feet to the fire".   Petition here.

One golfer added "And no more expensive water studies."  (Note:  this year's water authority budget included $100,000 for yet another study...yet another of many undertaken.  As far back as 10 years ago, the first of such studies identified that water storage should be increased.)  See story (reprint of) "20 Year Old Interview with Brian Harvey of Vernon Irrigation District".

Another outspoken golfer stated "I've lived here for 36 years and the community has grown 400 per cent, with no corresponding increase in storage."  He'd likely be interested in the North Okanagan Regional District's request for public input into its regional growth strategy.  "Surveys and open houses will be held later on in 2010, and all residents of the North Okanagan are encouraged to get involved in the discussion," said Anthony Kittel, regional growth strategy coordinator.  You can bet that WATER will be at the top of any list after this year's debacle.

As reported in Sunday's newspaper, "Pool parties are hard to dismiss and we'll be doing an air photo flight soon," Al Cotsworth said.  He added that regulations will be enforced, as they will become aware of filled backyard pools.

"I'll bark at low-flying flights," offers Kia.

Not necessary, Kia.  We're watering the vegetable garden with the water in the pool's winter tarp!

Oh yes...almost forgot to offer a gigantic welcome to a fabulous website:  VernonCentral.ca
Offered is free classified advertising (for 90 days), and features our local Vipers hockey team as well as--you guessed it--our water woes, and many other topics.  (Some features are still under construction).

Suddenly, water RATES aren't really the issue!