Dear editor,
I read of the Comox resident who wants to opt out of the water metering program.
I also want to opt out, as will many rural CVRD residents who will see large increases in their water bills in 2014.
If all will recall, it is only the 8.9 per cent rural consumers of the Comox Valley System that will pay these rates. Ninety one percent of Comox Lake water-supplied customers are on a flat rate.
I was a water meter supporter until this week. I read the bylaw that the CVRD administration has finalized and it did not consider the suggestions from the Sept. 17 public meeting or the Oct. 7 residents' submission.
Not only does the bylaw surcharge rural gardeners — it does not reward conservers, as Comox, and Cumberland does.
I also learned that the CVRD has accumulated a large surplus — a reserve fund of over $15 million dollars, collected from Comox Valley customers who been paying more than CVRD water costs — for years.
The administration said they needed to increases revenues from metering to build reserves.(ACFAR)
I read the consultant report again, which predicted a 20- to 50-per-cent reduction in water consumption. Comparing 2013 to 2011, there was 6.6-per-cent reduction. I expect most of this resulted from repairing leaks.
This is the only positive aspect of the mock billing process —encouraging customers to fix leaks. The leaks are fixed and further reduction will only result from less green space. No doubt some rural customer will cut back with unaffordable surcharges.
From the CVRD experience, there will be little incentive for Courtenay and Comox to implement water meters. I'm very disappointed in the CVRD management of this project.
I don't mid paying the higher Courtenay flat rate of $440 — where can I sign up?
Phil Harrison,
Area B