LETTER: Victoria’s water supply should be off limits to the public

I read with interest the letter from Jack Hull, former CEO of CRD, in the Goldstream Gazette: Low fire risk does not justify CRD’s multi-billion dollar solution.

I had the privilege of riding on the first busload of guests to tour Sooke Lake Reservoir and the general immediate watersheds managed by the CRD in early June 2023.

If these water supply areas (partly fenced and gated) are “the most intensively monitored and controlled water catchments”, with excellent protocols in place to deal with any bushfires, and the reason is to protect a potentially vulnerable water supply for Greater Victoria, Sooke etc, why would you allow public access to the Leech water supply area – limited or not?

This privilege for some will not be respected and easily controlled in the future. Land users/encroachers have not yet learned the dangers of fire in forest or grassland areas – smoking, lighting a small fire, using motorized vehicles/equipment, etc.

CRD management still hasn’t found a solution to the years-long “sewer smell” emanating from the plant at Atkins Road and Island Highway — a strong odor was widespread as I drove through that area. Residents must be fed up with this problem. Is this a sign of CRD’s technical expertise and forward planning? Taxpayers need to think about this and hold on to their wallets.

Hopefully readers/voters will give a thumbs down to stop the multi-billion dollar water treatment plant as a solution to prevent contamination of drinking water (all drinking water) for households and businesses in our region.

Keep visitors out of our valuable water spring gift. We are blessed with good water. Respect it and keep it.

Mark Vincentius

View Royal