Dear Editor,
The following is an open letter sent to the Mayor and Council of the Village of Ashcroft.
We have just received and read the “Water Conservation Program” pamphlet that was delivered to our mailbox. We have several questions and would like clarification on information presented in the “Water Consumption” section.
Under this heading, it is reported that the average Canadian uses 270 litres of water per day, the average B.C. resident uses 350 litres of water per day, and the average Ashcroft resident uses 1,831 litres of water per day. Not only is this noted as an “average”, it also shows an inordinate variance in consumption and begs clarification.
1. What figures and calculations did the Village use to determine the “residential daily per litre” amount?
2. Does the total consumption of water per day include all water used in the Village? In other words, does it also include water used to irrigate our parks?
3. Who is classified as a “resident?” Are we referring to households or individuals? Are we including apartment dwellers and businesses?
4. How many “residents” were used to determine the figure quoted for Ashcroft?
5. Is the same calculation and data used to determine “per resident daily usage” in other municipalities? Are we comparing apples to apples?
6. Is our infrastructure sound? (i.e.: leaky pipes that allow water to leak into the ground and increase consumption figures).
As residents we believe we should be privy to this information, particularly when the amounts are so vastly different and we are looking at water conservation measures and a huge capital expenditure for water upgrades. It would also be interesting to have a “per resident daily usage” comparison between municipalities of similar climate and size. Yes, we do live in a “desert environment”, but so do residents of several other B.C. municipalities such as Osoyoos, Okanagan Falls, Keremeos, etc. What is their “per resident daily usage?”
Bruce and Andrea Walker
Ashcroft