By Gagandeep Ghuman
Published: Dec. 8, 2012
Garibaldi at Squamish and Taicheng can compare notes on at least one crucial aspect both these mega developments need to tackle: Water.
In a report to its board, SLRD staff noted that there is water supply at present for only 300 units.
Taicheng aims for ten times more units, and must prove out their water supply system would be capable of meeting the demand.
SLRD staff has encouraged Taicheng to consider the size of its development with respect to the available water supply.
A ground water study by Taicheng identified a small aquifer with limited capacity and a surface water study identified seasonal capacity in Thistle and Daisy Creeks.
Taicheng has suggested rebuilding Parklane, Mountain Lake, and Utopia Lake Dams as one option to provide seasonal storage.
Other suggestions for water supply have included using the discharge flow from the Flash Power IPP on Britannia Creek or further treating the effluent from the Epcor Acid Rock Drainage Plant to drinking water standards.
Taicheng has also referenced Britannia North Water Supply in its phasing plans, but staff notes there is no residual capacity available in the system to supply South Britannia.
Taicheng has also suggested it will implement aggressive water conservation methods in the design and construction of the development.
Taicheng also proposes expanding the existing Britannia Waste Water Treatment Plant to handle the sanitary sewage produced by the development.
SLRD Area D representative Maurice Freitag said he is satisfied with the public consultation undertaken by the developer so far.
Area resident Jane Iverson said she is concerned about the commercial development along Minaty Bay.
“We fought long and hard for it to be preserved as parkland and I envisioned it would remain in a fairly pristine state,” Iverson said.
She said she is also concerned about the sustainable employment with the development.
“I would hate to see the creation of yet another bedroom community,” Iverson said.
Another resident, Ron Fulber, said Minaty Bay is not on any negotiation list, and water and sewer can’t be piggy backed on the services already in place.
Taicheng is likely to be submitting its full application package early in 2013. SLRD staff will then undertake a full review of the material submitted and prepare a report to the Board.
