Senanus Water Line

Peninsula Times

Senanus Water Line

By Sean McNulty

The residents of Senanus drive have been trying to obtain clean potable water for over 15 years now. The inaction from the municipality of Central Saanich regarding this issue is an example of bureaucracy in action. There has been an endless amount of engineer reports, studies, legal opinions and other roadblocks thrown in the way, while in the meantime residents have been trucking in water from the Sooke Lake Reservoir at the rate of one water truck per week.

The water quality on Senanus drive started to become an issue when the neighboring hay farms began digging additional wells to provide more water to their fields. Hay fields without water only yield one crop per year, whereas hay fields with water can yield three. A side effect of this additional watering: depletion of the aquifer which results in a loss of hydrostatic pressure and increased mineralization and salt water intrusion into the wells. This happened to such an extent that the Capital Regional Districts (CRD’s) Chief Medical Officer deemed the water from the wells on Senanus unsafe for consumption.

The main argument against extending the waterline is that it will lead to development, but nothing could be further from the truth. There are water lines running throughout the municipality and development doesn’t automatically follow them. In fact, the zoning was changed on Senanus drive so that even with the water line extension the minimum lot size allowed is five acres which means any subdivision would require rezoning.

Another argument against the water line is that it contradicts the Regional Context Statement in the Central Saanich OCP and the CRD’s Regional Growth Strategy. This doesn’t hold water. For one, these are to regulate growth; the houses are existing, and two, the RGS outlines exceptions for health and fire reasons, both of which apply to this situation.

It’s particularly interesting the extent some members of mayor and councilor, both past and present, have gone to stop this water line. In 2002, the residents on Senanus offered to pay for the entire thing. At the time, under Bylaw 524, if they were to pay for it the municipality would be required to provide the service. Amazingly, the Mayor and Council at that time then amended the bylaw, in only 6 weeks, which removed their obligation. 

The residents forged forward despite this setback, drawing up a petition that showed overwhelming support from the area for the waterline. The municipality then accused the residents of using coercive tactics to get the signatures, with no proof! Not to mention that during all this costs of installation increased from $800 000 to $1.6 million.

The petition has since been submitted, a grant has been applied for and approved for $1.1 million, and it appears the residents of Senanus Drive will finally receive potable drinking water barring any unwise decisions on behalf of the current Mayor and Council. Interestingly, the majority of the councilors get their water through the municipal waterlines; it’s time for them to allow their fellow residents access as well.