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Lantzville’s dry spell is over

I would encourage Lantzville to develop programs to educate residents about how to conserve water, re-use grey water, and collect water.

To the Editor,

Re: Lantzville signs water agreement, Sept. 11.

At last Monday’s council meeting, two neighbours spoke passionately about what access to community water would mean for their families. Both are currently on private wells. One spoke about boron contamination of its well, making the water unfit for drinking or bathing. Obviously Lantzville needs to make sure that people with contaminated water are looked after.

The other spoke of the mindset that develops when one depends on well water. Short showers, flushing toilets less frequently, watering outside plants with bath water, letting the grass go yellow – all measures to ensure that water lasts through the summer dry spell.

This is the mindset that I would like to see encouraged in all citizens.  While I applaud the water deal as a way to help those with contaminated water or with wells that run dry, and to allow some development in the village core, I am concerned that with this deal will come the perception of water as a resource in abundance. With abundance comes lack of stewardship and waste.

Along with this water deal, I would encourage Lantzville to develop programs to educate residents about how to conserve water, re-use grey water, and collect water. I would encourage tax incentives and legislation to support that education.

And no, I do not believe that these ideas are ahead of their time as some Lantzville councillors have suggested.

Karen MostadLantzville