DISCUSSION OF GARP AT AGM August 2 2026
These options were directed by the Drinking Water Officer.
The trustees are required to advise you about the risks. And you will be expected to advise family and visitors to your Savary Shores home.
Viruses that can multiply in the gastrointestinal tract of humans or animals are known as “enteric viruses.”
A human infected with an enteric virus could pass the virus into their septic system, and from the septic system, the virus could travel through existing underground pathways to Savary Shores wellheads.
We already know there are underground pathways from septic systems to the wellheads, because the nitrates found in Savary Shores water have arrived by underground pathways.
Once in the well water, the virus will be distributed in the drinking water, and more people could become infected.
Please note there is no report of viruses or illness at this time.
To get a fuller picture of the risks, it is recommended that you read about the health effects in Health Canada’s publication Enteric Viruses in Drinking Water, 2017, posted to the SSID website.
The seriousness of the health effects from a viral infection will depend on the age and health of the individual affected. In healthy individuals, the symptoms might be highly unpleasant gastrointestinal illness, without being life threatening.
In vulnerable groups, such as infants, young children, immuno-compromised, and the elderly, the illness can be more serious, including some chronic diseases, and possibly death.
Viruses of concern include noroviruses, hepatitis A virus, hepatitis E virus, rotaviruses and enteroviruses. Symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, fever, malaise, anorexia, abdominal pain, joint pain, sore throat, rash, upper respiratory tract, jaundice, liver damage, and a list of serious complications identified in the Health Canada guide.
Discussion points at the AGM will help us create a survey to go out to all the Savary Shores property owners, to help get enough input to make a decision that this community can accept.
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DIRECTIVE FROM VANCOUVER COASTAL HEALTH
May 31 2026. The Drinking Water Officer at Vancouver Coastal Health has advised that SSID water is susceptible to enteric viruses that can cause illness. As a condition of SSID's permit to operate, we are instructed to either (a) treat the drinking water or (b) go on a permanent Water Quality Advisory.
There is no report of viruses or illness at this time. But there is potential for viruses, because SSID water contains nitrates. Viruses can travel the same pathways as nitrates do, from septic fields to the wellheads.
The health effects can range from mild to life threatening. Infants, young children, elderly, and immuno-compromised individuals are most vulnerable. More information may be found in Health Canada's Enteric Viruses in Drinking Water, 2017.
(a) Chlorine in the right dosage will kill viruses, so would be the safest choice. A permanent chlorine injection system would dispense a specific measurement of chlorine (sodium hypochlorite 12%) into the drinking water as it is pumped from the aquifer. The ongoing taste of chlorine would be much less than the stronger concentrations used when periodically shock-chlorinating the system. The cost is roughly estimated at $35,000 in the first year, and $3,000 in years thereafter.
Note UV treatment is not suitable to this off-grid system because of the power requirements.
(b) A permanent Water Quality Advisory, instead of water treatment, would be a Communications Plan in the District explaining that the drinking water is not treated so could pose a modest health risk from viruses. The communication is not a Boil Water Advisory, although boiling and other precautions may be recommended for people with weak immune systems. Signage, handbills, emails, and reminders would be issued. The cost to SSID taxpayers would be about $1,500 per year. In addition, property owners would be expected to communicate the water risks to occupants in their dwellings.
SSID will be discussing the two options at the summer Annual General Meeting 10:30am Sunday August 2, 2026. The choice will be an important community decision. We urge all SSID property owners to attend.
We also welcome your comments now, to administrator@savaryshoreswater.ca
Sincerely,
Trustees Bryan Miles, Lee Davis, Brent Brucker
SAVARY SHORES IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT
