Updates

Generator-1 working sporadically. On September 18, a new fuel tank was installed at generator-1. The old tank was about 30 years old, and was harbouring algae, although it had been treated regularly with a biocide. The fuel was saved through a triple-filtering process, but the tank was retired. It was suspected that the contaminated fuel had been contributing to generator startup issues for years. SSID's Operator had observed that the fuel filters were needing changing more often, and had advised it was time for a new diesel tank. The generator has failed twice since the fuel filtering process, because there is still some contaminant in the fuel, which may take a while to be cleared out. SSID has filters on hand for replacing the clogged filters after the next failure. Eventually, the fuel will be clear, and we expect the machine to stop failing. 

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 are considered draft until amended or adopted at the 2026 AGM.

Read SSID's request that setback reports be kept out of the OCP. The Trustees reviewed the recommended setbacks outlined in 2 Tetra Tech 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.