MAYNE ISLAND INTEGRATED
WATER SYSTEMS SOCIETY
PROJECTS, REPORTS AND UPDATES
Click
here to see the 2007 AGM Minutes
ARTICLES:
Each month, MIIWSS publishes articles on conservation
and water awareness, or any pertinent topic to assist in
relaying water interests to our Islanders. The articles
are also published in the Saturna Scribbler, Galiano Active
Page and the Pender Post.
MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS:
Our meetings are held quarterly where possible
and on Sundays to allow for our off islanders to attend.
Each meeting is planned around water systems reports and
a speaker of interest either in maintenance, legislation
or conservation.
WELL MAPPING:
Project Temporarily Tabled.
ANNUAL WATER WORKSHOPS
Please check our link to Workshops for current
workshop details, information and registration forms, and
information on past workshops.
MAYNE ISLAND FALL FAIR
MIIWSS has booths each year at the Fall Fair,
the 3rd Saturday of August. Our booths are interactive,
with consultants on wells, septic systems and legislation.
We have free MB Lab test kits, with test result clarification,
memberships, literature on water topics, and qualified
local people to help with everyday problems. Come visit
us. We enjoy interaction with our fellow well owners.
WATER AWARENESS SIGN
MIIWSS has a
water awareness sign at the Mayne Street Mall with a
general alert to the status of the water situation. Please
note that this will be general awareness information, and
will not specify restrictions. The sign is
seasonal in nature. Please take note of the Water Turn Off sign on the left as you are approaching the ferry at ReMax Realty. This serves as a reminder to turn your water off before leaving the island for any duration.
LOBBYING, LIASING AND CONSULTING
MIIWSS, as needs indicate, will press government
officials for changes in regulations and legislation. If
you agree with any of the positions, please write indicating
your support
Current letters regarding water issues:
• Ministry of Environment re opposition
to hydrofracturing of wells on the Gulf Islands.
Reply received. Our letter forwarded to Water Advisory Committee
who are currently working on Phase 2 of changes to the Groundwater
Protection Act.
ACTION: The government is in the midst of the Living Water Smart program and there has been no indication to date (January 2010) of any action regarding any regulation of hydrofracturing.
• CRD Building Inspection Dept. regarding the inclusion of
rainwater collection systems within the CRD Building Code
bylaws in the same manner as low flush toilets.
Affirmative reply received verbally. Changes under consideration.
ACTION: Pending
The Building Code with legislate the use of purple pipes for in home non potable use as of February 2010.
• School District 64 regarding the replacement
of the old high consumption toilets at our Mayne Island
School.
ACTION: MIIWSS and Community Response will replace all toilets in our school the summer of 2010 as a community wide project. MIIWSS wishes to thank the community groups, businesses, and Islanders for their generous support for this project.
• Ditching: Requested our Island Trustees
meet with Ministry of Transportation to confine the practice
of ditching to areas where needed and not ditch as a general
practice. This is to protect the groundwater recharge areas
around well sites and general recharge areas that are losing
water to runoff into the ocean.
No reply received, nor indication of action taken.
ACTION: Ditching continues with the loss of valuable groundwater recharge for our island aquifers.
• Islands Trust: MIIWSS also works cooperatively with our Island
Trust officials to ensure that water is respectfully covered
within our Official Community Plan, and from there included
in our Land Use Bylaws.
• Under Advocacies in appropriate sections:
- hydrofracturing has been recognized as not an acceptable
practice on Mayne Island
-rainwater collection should be encouraged
• Under permitted uses:
-bulk water sales from Mayne island aquifers, and transport,
will require rezoning for water drawn for business purposes,
with emergency exceptions.
-many small changes throughout to include water references
be changed to read potable water and recognition of the
importance of water in development permit areas.
BCWWA COURSE FACILITATION
• May 2004: Facilitated a 2 day Small
Water Systems Operator Certification Course. 12 attendees
leading to 6 new certified operators for Mayne Island.
• October 2005: MB Labs and VIHA seminar on Water Treatment and VIHA Regulations, CEUs .5.
• September, 2006: Facilitated a 1 day Leak Detection
Course. 15 attendees. SWS certification points earned.
.6
• October 2007: Confined Space Entry seminar. .6
• October 2008: E.D.S. Pumps seminar on Water Treatment. CEUs .5. With special thanks to CRD Director for financial support enabling ten single well owner attendants.
• NOTE: Annual Water Workshops qualify for EOCP Continuing
Education Units.
