Box 219, 1350 Aster Street, Pemberton, BC V0N 2L0 Ph. 604-894-6371, 800-298-7753 F: 604-894-6526 info@slrd.bc.ca www.slrd.bc.

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June 29, 2012 Dear Community Member of Gold Bridge, Summer is upon us, and for the past two years this has been the time of year when the water system has proven to be unable to keep up with the demands of the community. The SquamishLillooet Regional District (SLRD) has plans to upgrade the well system, as discussed further below. The purpose of this letter is to provide you with a brief overview of the history of the Gold Bridge water system, as well as an update about what we are planning to do to ensure that moving forward, the community of Gold Bridge will have access to an adequate year-round supply of clean and safe drinking water. Background: Prior to 2010, the community of Gold Bridge obtained its water from Fergusson (Sucker) Creek. Because it was a surface water source, the water was at high risk of contamination from fecal coliforms (the bacteria found in manure), which resulted in a continuous Boil Water Advisory in effect since 1990. In 2007, responsibility for the Gold Bridge water system was transferred from the Gold Bridge Improvement District to the SLRD, at which point, the SLRD began making plans to upgrade the water system which included the development of a ground water source and supporting infrastructure. Upon receipt of grant funding work began on the project, with construction starting in October 2009 and finishing in the spring of 2010. In July 2010 the level of water in the reservoir began to fall, and it became apparent that the new system was unable to keep up with peak summer water demands. At this point, the SLRD instituted watering restrictions and switched the system back to the surface water supply. This resulted in a Boil Water Advisory being issued by the Interior Health Authority (IHA). Consultation with the water system engineers pointed to leaks in some of the old piping as the likely cause of the capacity problem. The SLRD repaired the identified leaks in the fall of 2010 and replaced an old section of pipe in the spring of 2011. Unfortunately, by mid-July of 2011, levels in the reservoir fell once again which forced the utility to switch the system back to the surface water source. Subsequently, the IHA issued another Boil Water Advisory. After numerous discussions both with the project engineers as well as with independent hydrogeological engineers we have concluded the existing pump system is not sufficient to meet the peak summer water demands of the community. Through these discussions weve also
Memb e rs : Di st ri ct o f Squ ami sh, R e so rt Muni cipalit y of Whistl er, Vill age of Pembert on, D i str ic t of L ill oo et , Ele ct o ra l A r ea s A , B, C, a nd D, l oc at e d within Scho ol D i str ic ts No . 48 and No . 74