Updates

Duty generator-1 offline for new fuel tank installation. On September 17, a new fuel tank will be installed at generator-1. The current tank is about 30 years old, and is harbouring algae, although treated with a biocide regularly. The fuel can be saved through a filtering process, but the tank itself should be retired. It is expected that the contaminated fuel has contributed to generator startup issues for years. SSID's Operator  observed that the fuel filters are needing changing more often, and has advised that it's time for a new diesel tank.

SSID AGM was held Sunday August 3 2025. At the 44th Annual General Meeting, Chair Trustee Bryan Miles summarized the past year. There was a review of Upper Tank replacement options. The Operator's report provided an update on the status of the water system infrastucture. The trustees presented the considerations for Groundwater at Risk of Pathogens (GARP). The administrator delivered the financial report. There was an election for the trustee position held by Trustee Lee Davis. Lee had offered to run for another 3-year term, and there being no other nominees, was acclaimed for the term finishing 2028. 

Minutes of the 2025 AGM will be posted in September, and are considered draft until amended or adopted at the 2025 AGM.

Read SSID's request that setback reports be kept out of the OCP. The Trustees have reviewed the recommended setbacks outlined in 2 engineering reports submitted to the qathet Regional District, and have advised the qRD that inclusion of the setbacks in the Savary Island Official Community Plan will be detrimental to SSID's future operations. While OCPs are in themselves non-regulatory, any related zoning bylaw can use specific parts of the OCP as law. The qRD responded with a letter that does not address our concerns. The OCP is scheduled to be complete by winter 2025. Participate to have your opinion heard. 

Lithium Battery and Solar Experiment. SSID replaced 2 lead-acid batteries with a EG4 lithium battery suitable for powering the Thomson Controller. We also tested 4 solar panels to see if they could provide enough energy in the darkest days of winter to keep the new lithium battery charged. The solar inputs in February were sufficient, but January was too dark to provide enough solar inputs with only the 4 panels. It was determined that the 2 darkest months (December and January) would require a higher capacity charger utilizing the generator power during pump cycles.

The 2017 Fire Underwriter's Survey established Savary Shores Improvement District as "limited protection" rather than the previous rating "unprotected." The Dwelling Protection Grade was 4, and the Public Fire Protection Classification was 8 (out of 10, Grade-1 is highest). The FUS Survey was updated in 2020. SSID has not been re-examined or re-graded by FUS since 2017.