Residents in the Sandpiper subdivision will soon receive a new water supply after an agreement was signed between the Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) and the Town of Qualicum Beach.
The agreement will bring a bulk rate supply from Qualicum Beach to the Sandpiper reservoir that consistently meets Canadian Drinking Water Quality Guidelines. The water needs of 242 households will be met while still ensuring the community has a sufficient water source for emergencies, according to a joint release by the town and the RDN.
The RDN said it has allocated $970,000 from the Electoral Area G Community Works Funds towards this project. The funds will cover the capital costs to bring water to the reservoir, while allowing for infrastructure improvements and reinforcing the emergency water supply for the Chartwell and Eaglecrest communities.
To enable Qualicum Beach to provide the water service, the RDN will continue to operate and maintain the Sandpiper reservoir and RDN pump house. Once the water connection is in place, an extensive flush of the entire system will be completed before water is distributed to households, the release said.
The Sandpiper community, established in 1980, currently accesses its household water supply from a series of groundwater wells, leading residents to manage individual water treatment systems at their own expense. Although the water is deemed potable by Island Health, the water is not aesthetically pleasing.
The Town of Qualicum Beach’s water system is more than capable of supplying water to the Sandpiper subdivision, while still maintaining an abundance of supply for the town’s growing population, according to the release. It said the data shows water consumption continues to decrease, likely because of energy efficient appliances and water conservation measures. The town also holds two wells that have yet to be commissioned as a contingency water supply.
Construction on the project is expected to start immediately with water supply being provided to Sandpiper by early fall, according to the release.
