One more drink, and then you're cut off.
That was the message West Vancouver council delivered recently to Montizambert Wynd - the unincorporated community that's been tapping into the district's water supply since the 1960s.
Council voted unanimously on July 21 to grant the 16 properties a second and final extension before letting the relationship run dry as of Feb. 18, 2015. Before West Vancouver's water gets from Montizambert Creek to a treatment plant, a handful of residents just outside the district have been tapping in and taking the raw water. Legal liability in the event of illness was a major concern for Coun. Bill Soprovich.
"We're still in a position of giving out water that could cause illness," he said. "We're not protected."
The extension includes full indemnity for the district. Concerns about the water being unsafe are largely unfounded, according to Montizambert Wynd resident Bill Fanagan, who spoke to council about the issue in 2013. "We share the water resources that come out of Montizambert Creek, and this goes back for about 47 years," he said. "Each home on Montizambert has a point-of-entry water system and we have no history of people being sick." Montizambert has been subject to a boil-water advisory since 1996, although most residents said they had water filtration systems in their homes.
In February 2013, West Vancouver initially served notice they would be turning off the tap - leaving the residents of Montizambert Wynd six months to come to an agreement with Metro Vancouver that would facilitate legal access to the district's water supply.
When faced with West Vancouver's deadline - which was later extended a total of 18 months - the residents of Montizambert Wynd ultimately decided to start construction on their own intake system.
But taking water from Montizambert Creek has proved something of a jurisdictional quagmire, according to Greg Smith, Metro Vancouver corporate services senior director.
The water system will need to cross rights of way controlled by BC Hydro, the Ministry of Transportation, the Ministry of Environment and CN Rail.
Only after being granted approval to use those rights of way can Montizambert Wynd apply for a building permit from Metro Vancouver. Metro Vancouver initially requested a 12-month extension for the system but was rebuffed.
"West Vancouver council decided that a six-month (extension) was probably long enough," Smith said.
Despite the challenges, Smith said there's a good chance the intake system will be ready before West Van shuts off the water.
"They're fairly close. I think they've got a good chance of making it for February," he said.
