Dear Editor:
In response to Mark Richards’ letter of May 11, “Water meters needlessly complicated.” Yes. The water meter situation is completely ridiculous and needlessly complicated.
As with over 150 other property owners in Summerland, I also have a large property with a complete irrigation system that has run off a separate line for decades. The water line to my house is half-inch and will need to be upgraded to at least three-quarters. The meter that is in the house will need to be relocated, the interior finishing and plumbing completely changed, the yard will need to be dug up, and the pipes to the irrigation system will need to be completely re-routed. Why?
The city is aware that the half-inch line that services the house will not service the irrigation system. There are two separate lines to the property. The city is willing to let me use either of the two (half-inch or one-inch) lines, however, they will not allow me to use both. I have also offered to pay for the second meter a cost of about $300.
The city’s response has been to cut the line to the over 150 properties that have had this existing service.
Now we are all scrambling to keep our properties alive as the summer heat approaches.
My system has been upgraded over the years to include micro-irrigation to reduce the amount of water use. The system is on a timer, and set regularly throughout the season to minimize the use of water.
Here is the good news for the city:
o I will pay for the second meter to avoid what will be a 10,000 bill of restructuring what I already have.
o I will also be paying for water delivery charges during the seven winter months that the system is not in service.
The city is simply not able to provide a good reasoned argument for all of this other than that of “a line drawn in the sand”. I would suggest that these similar property owners request a variance to these ridiculous, restrictive, and utterly non-common sensible water metering rules.
If I were to ask any other agency, i.e., hydro-electric or gas, for an additional meter to my property, it would simply happen, and the meter would be free. When discussed with the city the answer is no. Absolutely no consideration for the tax payer of which I own 4 properties in the Summerland area. Absolutely no consideration for common sense. If the Mayor wishes to contact me to clear this mess up, or if any of the other 150+ persons wish to contact me, please do so 604-948-1963.
Dave Kranjc
Summerland